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Full text of "Nomination : hearing of the Committee on Labor and Human Resources, United States Senate, One Hundred Third Congress, first session, on M. Joycelyn Elders, of Arkansas, to be medical director ... Surgeon General of the Public Health Service, July 23, 1993"

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S.  HRG.  103-628 

NOMINATION 


Y4.L  11/4:  S.  HRG.  103-628 

Nonination,   S.Hrg.   103-628,  103-1  H. 


HEARING 

OF  THE 

COMMITTEE  ON 

LABOR  AND  HUMAN  RESOURCES 

UNITED  STATES  SENATE 

ONE  HUNDRED  THIRD  CONGRESS 
FIRST  SESSION 

ON 

M.  JOYCELYN  ELDERS,  OF  ARKANSAS,  TO  BE  MEDICAL  DIRECTOR  IN 
THE  REGULAR  CORPS  OF  THE  PUBLIC  HEALTH  SERVICE,  AND  TO  BE 
SURGEON  GENERAL  OF  THE  PUBLIC  HEALTH  SERVICE 


JULY  23,  1993 


Printed  for  the  use  of  the  Committee  on  Labor  and  Human  Resources 


n 


U.S.  GOVERNMENT  PRINTING  OFFICE 
81-354  CC  WASHINGTON  :  1993  

For  sale  by  the  U.S.  Government  Printing  Office 
Superintendent  of  Documents,  Congressional  Sales  Office,  Washington.  DC  20402 
ISBN   0-16-044670-8 


fe 


S.  HRG.  103-628 

NOMINATION 


Y4.L  11/4:  S.  HRG.  103-628 

Nonination,   S.Hrg.   103-628,  103-1  H. . . 

HEARING 

OF  THE 

COMMITTEE  ON 

LABOR  AND  HUMAN  RESOURCES 

UNITED  STATES  SENATE 

ONE  HUNDRED  THIRD  CONGRESS 
FIRST  SESSION 

ON 

M.  JOYCELYN  ELDERS,  OF  ARKANSAS,  TO  BE  MEDICAL  DD3ECTOR  IN 
THE  REGULAR  CORPS  OF  THE  PUBLIC  HEALTH  SERVICE,  AND  TO  BE 
SURGEON  GENERAL  OF  THE  PUBLIC  HEALTH  SERVICE 


JULY  23,  1993 


Printed  for  the  use  of  the  Committee  on  Labor  and  Human  Resources 


:c  1 3 


U.S.  GOVERNMENT  PRINTING  OFFICE 
81-354  CC  WASHINGTON  :  1993 


For  sale  by  the  U.S.  Government  Printing  Office 
Superintendent  of  Documents,  Congressional  Sales  Office,  Washington,  DC  20402 
ISBN  0-16-044670-8 


COMMITTEE  ON  LABOR  AND  HUMAN  RESOURCES 

EDWARD  M  KENNEDY,  Massachusetts,  Chairman 

CLAIBORNE  PELL,  Rhode  Island  NANCY  LANDON  KASSEBAUM,  Kansas 

HOWARD  M.  METZENBAUM,  Ohio  JAMES  M  JEFFORDS,  Vermont 

CHRISTOPHER  J.  DODD,  Connecticut  DAN  COATS,  Indiana 

PAUL  SIMON,  Illinois  JUDD  GREGG,  New  Hampshire 

TOM  HARKLN,  Iowa  STROM  THURMOND,  South  Carolina 

BARBARA  A.  MIKULSKI,  Maryland  ORRIN  G.  HATCH,  Utah 

JEFF  BLNGAMAN,  New  Mexico  DAVE  DURENBERGER,  Minnesota 

PAUL  D.  WELLSTONE,  Minnesota 

HARRIS  WOFFORD,  Pennsylvania 

NICK  Ltitlefieijd,  Staff  Director  and  Chief  Counael 
SUSAN  K  HATTAN,  Minority  Staff  Director 

01) 


CONTENTS 


STATEMENTS 
Friday,  July  23,  1993 

Page 

Elders,  Dr.  M.  Joycelyn,  nominated  to  be  Medical  Director  in  the  Regular 
Corps  in  the  Public  Health  Service  and  Surgeon  General  in  the  Public 

Health  Service  6 

Prepared  statement  10 

Hatfield,  Hon.  Mark  0.,  a  US.  Senator  from  the  State  of  Oregon  13 

Boren,  Hon.  David  L.,  a  UJS.  Senator  form  the  State  of  Oklahoma 15 

Moseley-Braun,  Hon.  Carol,  a  UJ5.  Senator  from  the  State  of  Illinois  19 

Prepared  statement  19 

Lambert,  Hon.  Blanche  M.,  a  Representative  in  Congress,  from  the  State 
of  Arkansas 21 

Kennedy,  Hon.  Edward  M.,  a  U.S.  Senator  from  the  State  of  Massachusetts, 
prepared  statement 25 

Dodd,  Hon.  Christopher  J.,  a  US.  Senator  from  the  State  of  Connecticut, 
prepared  statement 45 

Mikulski,  Hon.  Barbara  A.,  a  UJS.  Senator  from  the  State  of  Maryland, 
prepared  statement ~ 59 

Wellstone,  Hon.  Paul  D.,  a  US.  Senator  from  the  State  of  Minnesota,  pre- 
pared statement  61 

Wofford,  Hon.  Harris,  a  US.  Senator  from  the  State  of  Pennsylvania,  pre- 
pared statement  58 

ADDITIONAL  MATERIAL 

Biographical  sketch  of  Dr.  Elders 85 

Articles,  publications,  letters,  etc 97 

Responses  of  Dr.  Elders  to  questions  asked  by: 

Senator  Coats 143 

Senator  Kassebaum 173 

Senator  Gregg 185 

Senator  Jeffords 193 

Senator  Kennedy  194 

Senator  Wellstone „ 195 

OH) 


NOMINATION 


FRIDAY,  JULY  23,  1993 

U.S.  Senate, 
Committee  on  Labor  and  Human  Resources, 

Washington,  DC. 

The  committee  met,  pursuant  to  notice,  at  9:35  a.m.,  in  room 
SD-430,  Dirksen  Senate  Office  Building,  Senator  Edward  M.  Ken- 
nedy (chairman  of  the  committee)  presiding. 

Present:  Senators  Kennedy,  Pell,  Metzenbaum,  Dodd,  Simon,  Mi- 
kulski,  Bingaman,  Wellstone,  Wofford,  Kassebaum,  Jeffords,  Coats, 
Gregg,  and  Durenberger. 

Opening  Statement  of  Senator  Kennedy 

The  Chairman.  The  committee  will  come  to  order. 

Welcome,  Dr.  Elders.  We  are  delighted  to  have  you  here  this 
morning. 

I  want  to  explain  both  to  the  nominee  and  to  the  members  of  the 
committee  what  the  current  situation  is.  We  had  scheduled  this 
hearing  a  week  ago  so  that  we  might  have  the  opportunity  to  con- 
sider the  nomination  of  Dr.  Elders  for  the  position  of  Surgeon  Gen- 
eral. Matters  were  then  raised  by  members  of  the  committee  for 
additional  information,  and  we  thought  that  was  entirely  appro- 
priate, and  Dr.  Elders  thought  it  was  appropriate — certainly  there 
was  information  from  the  Comptroller  of  the  Currency,  technical 
information  that  we  should  have. 

We  had  rescheduled  that  hearing  for  today.  During  the  period  of 
the  past  week,  Dr.  Elders  has  been  attacked,  I  think  viciously,  and 
she  has  been  prepared  to  come  here  and  respond  to  all  questions — 
not  in  a  closed  session  as  some  have  requested,  but  in  an  open  ses- 
sion. 

I  have  been  notified  by  the  Majority  Leader  just  a  few  moments 
ago  that  there  is  an  objection  to  this  committee  meeting  beyond  the 
hour  of  10.  That  has  been  filed.  Under  the  Senate  rules,  for  those 
who  are  not  familiar  with  them,  there  is  the  opportunity  for  any 
single  member  of  the  Senate  to  object  to  a  committee  meeting  once 
the  Senate  has  been  in  session  for  2  hours,  and  we  will  have  been 
in  session  for  2  hours  by  10  this  morning. 

That  objection  has  been  filed,  so  until  the  Senate  recesses  we  will 
not  have  the  opportunity  after  10  to  permit  Dr.  Elders  to  respond 
to  many  of  the  allegations,  charges,  distortions,  misrepresentations 
and  character  assassinations  that  have  been  directed  at  her. 

These  charges  have  been  made  by  members  of  the  Republican 
Party — not  by  my  distinguished  ranking  member,  Senator  Kasse- 
baum, who  has  been  nothing  but  cooperative  and  helpful  to  us  in 

(1) 


gaining  information  and  who  has  been  positive  in  every  possible 
way.  But  the  objection  has  been  filed. 

For  the  purposes  of  the  members  of  this  committee,  I  want  to  in- 
dicate that  whenever  the  Senate  adjourns  today — whenever  it  is — 
this  committee  is  going  to  be  back  in  session,  and  we  are  going  to 
stay  here  all  afternoon,  we  will  stay  here  during  the  evening,  and 
we  will  come  back  tomorrow  if  necessary  and  stay  as  long  as  nec- 
essary on  Saturday.  Over  the  time  I  have  been  in  the  U.S.  Senate, 
that  has  happened,  at  other  times.  It  happened  with  the  Americans 
with  Disabilities  Act,  when  we  met  until  2  in  the  morning. 

When  you  have  an  individual  as  distinguished  as  Dr.  Elders,  who 
has  been  honored  by  the  President  of  the  United  States  by  nomi- 
nating her  to  a  position  of  enormous  importance  to  the  American 
people,  when  public  health  issues  cry  out  for  attention  and  leader- 
ship, to  have  a  parliamentary  procedure  used  to  deny  the  full  op- 
portunity for  this  committee  to  hold  its  examination  of  the  wide 
range  of  public  policy  issues  involved  and  of  the  charges  which 
have  been  levelled  against  Dr.  Elders — and  when  Dr.  Elders  is  de- 
nied the  opportunity  to  present  her  case  to  the  public — I  think  it 
is  a  shame  for  this  institution  to  have  that  kind  of  policy.  But  it 
does  exist,  and  quite  frankly,  we  are  going  to  deal  with  it  in  the 
only  way  that  we  know  how,  and  that  is  with  fairness  to  the  nomi- 
nee. 

So  I  would  suggest  to  all  of  my  colleagues  on  this  committee  that 
they  cancel  whatever  plans  they  might  nave  had  through  the  after- 
noon, through  the  evening  and  through  tomorrow,  because  that  is 
the  way  that  we  are  going  to  proceed  on  this  committee.  I  am  not 
going  to  be  part  of  an  effort  to  put  this  over  for  another  day  or  for 
another  week,  to  permit  scurrilous  accusations  to  be  made  against 
this  nominee  without  an  opportunity  for  her  to  respond. 

So  I  will  yield  to  my  friend  and  colleague  Senator  Kassebaum  for 
whatever  comments  she  would  like  to  make,  and  then  prior  to  the 
time  that  we  have  the  vote,  which  I  understand  will  be  in  10  or 
15-minutes,  we  would  usually  recognize  our  colleagues  who  are 
here  to  present  the  nominee 

Senator  Kassebaum.  Mr.  Chairman,  if  I  may  suggest,  I  would 
like  to  forego  my  opening  comments  so  that  we  could  hear  from  our 
colleagues  who  are  here  to  make  introductory  statements. 

The  Chairman.  That's  an  excellent  suggestion. 

Senator  Coats.  Mr.  Chairman. 

The  Chairman.  Senator  Coats. 

Senator  Coats.  Mr.  Chairman,  just  to  respond  very,  very  briefly, 
I  too  think  it  is  important  that  this  hearing  go  forward,  and  I  see 
no  reason  personally  to  delay  this  hearing.  Just  for  personal  rea- 
sons, I  would  just  as  soon  go  forward  this  morning,  but  I  will 
change  my  plans  and  be  here  because  I  think  Dr.  Elders  deserves 
her  day  in  court — this  isn't  really  courtr— but  deserves  her  day  in 
the  confirmation  hearing. 

But  I  think  also  it  is  fair  to  say  that  anyone  who  is  nominated 
to  a  post  as  important  as  this,  there  ought  to  be  a  full  and  fair  and 
objective,  thorough  discussion  of  issues  that  have  been  raised  most- 
ly by  the  media  and  not  members  of  the  Republican  Party;  ques- 
tions that  have  been  raised  by  outside  groups  as  any  outside  group 
raises  questions  about  any  nominee  whether  it  is  Republicans  or 


Democrats,  or  liberals  or  conservatives,  or  left  or  right.  We  would 
not  be  doing  our  duty  if  we  did  not  thoroughly  deal  with  questions 
that  have  a  legitimate  relationship  to  the  position  that  any  nomi- 
nee is  seeking.  I  think  Dr.  Elders  would  ask  no  less  than  the  oppor- 
tunity to  address  the  questions  that  have  been  raised. 

Are  all  those  questions  fair?  I  don't  know.  Dr.  Elders  will  have 
an  opportunity  to  State  her  position  on  that.  But  they  are  legiti- 
mate questions  that  the  public  has,  and  I  think  we  have  an  obliga- 
tion to  explore  those,  and  I  intend  to  ask  Dr.  Elders  a  number  of 
those  questions. 

I  don't  know  why  it  is  necessary  to  delay  the  hearing.  I  do  know 
there  has  been  concern  which  I  have  raised  relative  to  some  of  the 
financial  records,  because  that  goes  to  a  question  that  has  been  de- 
bated in  the  media.  We  were  not  able  to  secure  all  the  necessary 
financial  documents  from  Dr.  Elders  relative  to  our  examination  of 
that.  I  suggested  that  perhaps  because  she  obviously  has  a  right 
not  to  disclose  that — I  think  it  would  be  helpful  if  she  would,  but 
she  has  a  right  not  to 

The  Chairman.  Well,  does  the  Senator  have  a  question? 

Senator  Coats.  Yes,  this  is  all  leading  up  to  a  question. 

The  Chairman.  I  want  the  record  to  show  that  the  ranking  mi- 
nority member  Senator  Kassebaum  urged  that  Dr.  Elders  be  given 
an  opportunity  to  make  a  presentation,  and  that  there  are  Senators 
who  are  in  the  situation  where  on  television  they  are  raising  ques- 
tions, and  under  the  Senate  rules,  Dr.  Elders  won't  even  have  an 
opportunity  to  make  a  presentation. 

Senator  Coats.  Well,  I  regret  that,  Mr.  Chairman 

The  Chairman.  I  regret  it,  too. 

Senator  Coats.  — and  I  am  not  the  one  who  raised  that  objection. 
But  I  also  object  to  the  chairman  saying  that  except  for  Senator 
Kassebaum,  Republicans  have  some  conspiracy  going  here  to  trash 
Dr.  Elders.  That  is  not  true  at  all. 

The  Chairman.  I  didn't  say 

Senator  Coats.  You  said  the  Republican  Party  has  made  vicious, 
scurrilous  accusations  against  Dr.  Elders,  and  that  is  not  true. 
There  is  no  partisan  conspiracy  to  do  that. 

The  Chairman.  I  said  that  the  Republican  Party  member 
objected 

Senator  Coats.  You  didn't  say  that. 

The  Chairman.  Well,  TO  say  it  right  now. 

Senator  Coats.  I  appreciate  it. 

The  CHAIRMAN.  It  was  very  interesting.  I  am  now  violating  my 
own  rule,  but  Fll  take  1  minute.  The  member  who  objected  called 
me  last  night  in  my  office  at  quarter  of  nine.  He  said  he  had  some 
additional  questions.  I  said  come  on  by — we  had  had  a  full  day  of 
debate  on  national  service,  but  come  on  by.  He  was  on  his  way  to 
an  engagement,  some  other  previous  engagement. 

So  I  said,  all  right,  send  your  staff  by;  Fll  stay  here,  and  well 
work  through  the  evening.  He  said,  I  don't  know  whether  I  can  find 
my  staff.  I  said,  Fll  have  my  staff  stay  here;  they  know  where  they 
can  reach  me.  I  am  available  all  evening. 

At  11:30,  a  member  of  the  staff  called  my  staff  and  said  we  have 
some  additional  questions,  and  we  want  to  put  you  on  notice,  and 
the  Senator  put  me  on  notice  that  he  was  going  to  object.  And  he 


is  a  member  of  the  Republican  Party,  and  he  is  a  member  of  the 
Republican  Policy  Committee. 

Now,  if  you  want  anything  more,  Senator,  I  would  be  glad  to  get 
into  it.  I  would  hope  that  we  would  give  Dr.  Elders  in  the  few  mo- 
ments that  remain  an  opportunity  which  she  has  been  denied  so 
far  to  be  able  to  face  this  committee  and  face  the  U.S.  Senate  and 
make  what  comments  she  wishes  to  make. 

So  if  there  is  no 

Senator  Coats.  Mr.  Chairman,  I  promise  you  I  won't  take  more 
than  15  seconds  to  reply. 

It  sounds  to  me  like  your  complaint  is  with  a  member  of  the  Re- 
publican Party  and  not  with  the  Republican  members  of  this  com- 
mittee. To  my  knowledge,  there  isn't  a  Republican  member  of  this 
committee  who  has  objected  to  this  hearing  going  forward  this 
morning. 

The  Chairman.  Listen,  Dan,  I  have  been  around  here  a  long 
time,  and  you  might  believe  that — but  unless  anyone  else  would 
like  to 

Senator  Coats.  Well,  Mr.  Chairman,  I  absolutely  believe  that, 
and  I  think  the  record  should  not  reflect  otherwise. 

Senator  MlKULSKl.  Mr.  Chairman,  could  we  hear  from  our  distin- 
guished African  American  scholar  and,  for  once,  begin  to  treat 
women  in  Senate  hearings  with  respect  and  dignity?  Could  we  pro- 
ceed? [Applause.] 

The  Chairman.  I  would  just  point  out  for  the  record  that  in  the 
time  that  I  have  been  on  this  committee  I  have  not  seen  denial  of 
an  opportunity  to  hear  a  nominee  under  Republican  or  Democrat 
Presidents  alike  until  now. 

I  would  recognize  Senator  Boren,  Senator  Hatfield,  Senator 
Moseley-Braun  and  Representative  Lambert  for  1  minute  each;  is 
that  okay? 

Senator  Boren.  Could  we  come  back  and  make  our  introductions 
later?  Wouldn't  that  be  more  appropriate? 

The  Chairman.  I  think  it  would  be,  if  that's  agreeable  with  you. 
I'd  like  to  try  to  give  Dr.  Elders  a  moment,  and  then  when  we  re- 
convene at  the  end  of  the  session,  give  you  an  opportunity.  I  think 
it  would  be  very  useful  for  the  members  to  hear  what  our  distin- 
guished colleagues  feel  about  it. 

We  are  operating  with  about  10  minutes  to  go 

Senator  Hatfield.  Mr.  Chairman,  may  I  comment? 

The  Chairman.  Yes. 

Senator  Hatfield.  Mr.  Chairman,  I  will  not  be  pressured  on 
time,  and  I  believe  with  the  honor  I  have  here  this  morning  that 
I  am  not  able  to  perform  that  in  1  minute.  Therefore,  I  would  be 
happy  to  return  at  some  later  timeuuring  the  day. 

I  am  a  Republican,  and  I  am  proud  to  be  here  as  a  Republican 
and  as  an  American  to  have  the  high  honor  of  introducing  Dr.  El- 
ders. I  was  honored  when  she  called  me  to  ask  me  to  fill  in  on  this 
situation  because  of  Senator  Pryor  and  Senator  Bumpers  having  to 
attend  the  funeral  of  Mr.  Foster  in  Arkansas.  But  I  just  do  not 
think  this  important  introduction  can  be  handled  in  1  minute,  so 
I  would  like  to  ask  to  be  excused  and  return  at  a  time  when  I  have 
the  proper  time. 


The  Chairman.  The  Senator  is  absolutely  correct,  and  we  would 
be  honored  to  hear  your  introduction  later  when  we  reconvene. 

Senator  Boren. 

Senator  Boren.  Mr.  Chairman,  I  feel  the  same  way.  Again,  I  was 
very  appreciative  that  Dr.  Elders  asked  me  to  appear  this  morning, 
and  since  Senator  Pryor  and  Senator  Bumpers  were  not  able  to  be 
here,  I  also  bring  a  statement  from  Senator  Pryor  that  I  think  is 
eloquent  testimony  from  one  from  her  home  State  that  should  be 
heard  by  members  of  this  committee,  and  I  hope  to  have  an  oppor- 
tunity to  add  my  own  comments  of  support  to  that  statement. 

So  I  would  be  very  willing.  I  think  this  is  a  very  important  mat- 
ter, and  I  would  be  very  willing  to  return  at  any  time  of  the  day 
or  night,  with  pride  to  be  here,  to  help  present  Dr.  Elders  to  this 
committee. 

So  I  also  would  like  to  have  the  opportunity  to  return  later  and 
make  introductory  remarks. 

The  Chairman.  Senator  Moseley-Braun. 

Senator  Moseley-Braun.  Thank  you  very  much,  Mr.  Chairman. 

I  am  not  standing  in  for  either  Senator  Bumpers  or  Senator 
Pryor.  I  am  here  for  me,  and  I  am  here  because  of  my  tremendous 
respect  for  Dr.  Elders. 

I  too  look  forward  to  the  opportunity  to  make  an  introduction,  to 
contribute  whatever  I  can  contribute  to  this  hearing,  and  I  hope  we 
can  go  forward  quickly,  smoothly,  thoroughly,  and  that  this  fine 
woman  be  given  the  opportunity  to  be  heard  and  voted  out  of  this 
committee. 

The  Chairman.  Thank  you. 

Representative  Lambert,  we  are  delighted  to  have  you  here. 

Ms.  Lambert.  Mr.  Chairman,  it  is  with  a  great  deal  of  pleasure 
and  a  great  deal  of  pride  that  I  have  walked  across  the  front  of  the 
Capitol  to  come  over  here  in  support  of  a  dear  friend  of  mine  and 
someone  who  has  produced  tremendous  results  in  my  district  in 
eastern  Arkansas. 

I  will  devote  the  day,  the  evening.  I  do  come  from  the  other  body, 
and  it  is  good  to  see  that  you  all  conduct  in  similar  fashion  and 
that  similar  obstacles  happen  on  this  side.  But  I  am  here,  I  am 
available,  and  I  would  like  to  spend  a  little  more  than  1  minute 
in  support  of  this  tremendous  person  who  has  done  so  very  much 
for  the  State  of  Arkansas.  So  I  am  available  all  day,  and  into  the 
evening. 

The  CHAIRMAN.  Wonderful.  Thank  you  very  much. 

Senator  Kassebaum. 

Senator  Kassebaum.  Mr.  Chairman,  if  we  are  not  going  to  pro- 
ceed, I  was  trying  to  expedite  the  procedure  so  there  could  be  op- 
portunity. But  there  now  remain  only  10  minutes,  and  I  assume  ev- 
erybody is  going  to  come  back. 

I  would  like  to  make  two  points.  There  are  two  Republicans  on 
this  committee,  Senator  Durenberger  and  Senator  Jeffords,  who 
have  announced  support  for  Dr.  Elders.  I  think  it  is  very  mislead- 
ing to  categorize  the  Republicans  as  being  in  objection  to  Dr.  El- 
ders. 

I  was  one  who,  along  with  you,  Senator  Kennedy,  asked  for  the 
financial  records  to  be  reviewed  by  the  FBI  that  are  held  in  con- 


fidence  by  the  Office  of  the  Comptroller  of  the  Currency.  I  think 
this  is  important,  and  I  discussed  it  with  Dr.  Elders. 

It  is,  as  you  have  said,  Mr.  Chairman,  obviously  a  rule  of  the 
Senate  that  anyone  can  raise  an  objection  on  the  floor  of  the  Senate 
to  holding  a  committee  meeting  2  hours  past  the  call  of  the  Senate. 
And  that  has  been  honored  in  every  committee.  So  I  think  we 
should  not  get  into  finger-pointing  at  this  point. 

I  would  like  to  say  to  my  good  friend  Senator  Mikulski  that  nei- 
ther do  I  think  it  is  a  disservice  to  women.  I  think  that  we  in  our 
committees  really  always  have  these  opportunities,  and  we  fre- 
quently get  into  these  controversies:  I  believe  Dr.  Koop's  nomina- 
tion was  lield  up  for  9  months,  so  it  really  should  not  be  taken  for 
more  than  it  is.  And  while  we  might  have  wished  we  could  have 
proceeded  ahead,  we  will  at  a  later  time. 

The  Chairman.  I  appreciate  what  the  Senator  says,  but  when  we 
are  notified  by  the  chairman  of  the  Republican  Policy  Committee 
at  quarter  of  10  at  night  of  his  intent  to  object,  without  his  being 
willing  to  come  down  and  express  what  kind  of  concerns  those  are, 
and  evidently,  the  Republican  leader  is  not  prepared  to  be  suffi- 
ciently persuasive  to  have  that  kind  of  an  objection  recalled,  Fll  let 
the  record  stand  for  itself. 

Dr.  Elders,  please  proceed. 

STATEMENT  OF  DR.  M.  JOYCELYN  ELDERS,  NOMINATED  TO  BE 
MEDICAL  DIRECTOR  IN  THE  REGULAR  CORPS  IN  THE  PUB- 
LIC HEALTH  SERVICE  AND  SURGEON  GENERAL  IN  THE  PUB- 
LIC HEALTH  SERVICE 

Dr.  Elders.  Thank  you,  Senator  Kennedy,  Senator  Kassebaum, 
and  members  of  the  Senate  Labor  and  Human  Resources  Commit- 
tee. It  is  a  great  honor  to  appear  before  you  today  as  President 
Clinton's  nominee  for  the  position  of  Surgeon  General. 

I  want  to  thank  you  for  taking  time  from  your  busy  schedules  to 
meet  with  me  during  the  past  few  weeks.  I  appreciate  and  look  for- 
ward to  a  continuing  relationship. 

Before  proceeding  further,  I  realize  you  have  a  problem  with 
time,  but  I  would  like  to  take  just  a  few  minutes  to  thank  my  dear 
husband,  Oliver  Elders,  my  brother,  Reverend  Chester  Jones,  my 
friends,  and  all  of  our  coworkers,  and  all  of  those,  many  of  whom 
are  here  today 

The  Chairman.  Would  you  like  to  introduce  them,  Dr.  Elders? 

Dr.  Elders.  That's  fine,  Senator.  I  realize  we  are  out  of  time. 

The  Chadxman.  No;  just  introduce  them.  We're  all  right.  We  al- 
ways have  time  for  members  of  the  family. 

Dr.  Elders.  All  right.  My  husband,  Oliver  Elders.  [Applause.] 
My  brother,  Reverend  Chester  Jones,  his  wife,  and  his  mother-in- 
law.  [Applause.]  And  the  person  who  has  probably  really  done  the 
most  for  Joycelyn  Elders  the  past  5Vz  years  at  work,  Ms.  Willie 
Mitchum,  my  secretary,  who  Keeps  me  on  schedule.  [Applause.] 
And  the  chairman  of  our  board  of  health,  Dr.  Miller.  [Applause.] 

The  Chahiman.  All  right  Senate  rules  discourage  applause,  but 
we  appreciate  it  very  much. 

Dr.  Elders.  Thank  you,  Senator,  for  that  opportunity. 

I  thank  them  for  the  support  they  have  given  me  for  years,  but 
particularly  the  last  few  months  and  especially  the  last  few  days. 


Many  say  that  I  am  a  lightning  rod — that  is  the  pin  you  see  me 
wearing  today — but  please,  know  that  my  thunder  is  behind  me. 

I  appear  before  you  today  at  a  time  when  our  entire  Nation  is 
facing  great  challenges  in  health  care.  More  than  37  million  Ameri- 
cans have  no  health  insurance.  AIDS,  violence,  teen  pregnancv,  a 
drug-resistant  strain  of  tuberculosis,  low  immunization  rates  all  in- 
dicate we  have  not  done  a  very  good  job  of  protecting  our  Nation's 
health. 

We  must  focus  on  prevention  to  heal  our  Nation.  Prevention  re- 
quires education.  We  cannot  educate  people  who  are  not  healthy, 
and  we  can't  keep  them  healthy  if  they  aren't  educated.  I  have 
some  personal  ana  professional  understandings  of  these  challenges, 
and  I  would  like  to  share  them  with  you. 

First,  I  am  the  oldest  of  eight  children.  I  had  never  seen  a  physi- 
cian prior  to  my  first  year  in  college.  One  of  my  earliest  experiences 
concerning  the  lack  of  health  care  was  my  4-year-old  brother,  who 
had  a  ruptured  appendix  and  was  taken  to  the  doctor  more  than 
10  miles  away  on  the  back  of  a  mule.  His  abdomen  was  lanced,  a 
drain  placed,  and  he  was  sent  home. 

I  have  heard  my  mother  scream  during  difficult  child  deliveries 
without  any  medical  help.  I  have  seen  bright  young  people  all  over 
this  country  in  an  ocean  surrounded  by  the  sharks  of  drugs,  alco- 
hol, homicide,  suicide,  AIDS  and  teen  pregnancy,  while  we  argue 
over  whose  values  we  are  going  to  teach. 

Second,  I  know  about  taking  advantage  of  opportunity.  The  Unit- 
ed Methodist  Church  helped  me  reach  the  first  rung  of  the  ladder 
that  enabled  me  to  be  here  today  by  providing  me  a  scholarship  to 
Philander  Smith  College  at  age  15.  After  college,  I  enlisted  in  the 
service.  I  attended  medical  school  on  the  GI  bill  and,  after  complet- 
ing medical  training  became  a  board-certified  pediatric 
endocrinologist.  I  know  the  importance  of  providing  opportunities 
for  our  children  today. 

My  experience  has  led  me  to  know  first-hand  many  of  the  pro- 
grams administered  by  the  Public  Health  Service  and  other  Fed- 
eral agencies.  I  have  been  a  provider  of  many  of  the  services  sup- 
ported by  public  health  programs,  both  as  a  physician  in  public 
health  clinics  and  at  the  University  of  Arkansas  School  of  Medi- 
cine. 

Fourth,  I  have  been  a  teacher  and  a  professor  on  the  University 
of  Arkansas  faculty  for  more  than  20  years. 

During  my  medical  career,  I  was  a  National  Institutes  of  Health 
career  development  awardee.  I  served  on  NIH  study  sections,  advi- 
sory committees  for  both  the  NIH  and  the  FDA,  and  as  a  consult- 
ant to  many  of  the  advisory  committees  for  many  of  the  programs 
provided  by  the  Public  Health  Service. 

I  am  an  experienced  researcher,  having  authored  many  publica- 
tions on  hormonal  growth  disorders  in  cnildren.  I  appreciate  the 
need  for  scientific  facts  to  back  up  conclusions. 

For  the  past  5Vi  years,  I  have  been  an  administrator  at  the  State 
level  as  director  of  the  Arkansas  Department  of  Health.  Last  year, 
I  was  honored  by  my  fellow  health  directors  when  they  elected  me 
president  of  the  Association  of  State  and  Territorial  Health  Offi- 
cers, after  serving  as  secretary  of  the  Association  and  a  member  of 
the  executive  committee. 


8- 

Finally,  Senators,  I  am  a  coalition  builder.  While  I  was  the  direc- 
tor of  the  Arkansas  Department  of  Health,  I  used  my  time  recruit- 
ing the  help  of  churches,  schools,  civic  organizations,  judges,  busi- 
nesses, and  local  communities  to  help  me  meet  the  needs  of  our 
youth.  I  realized  that  we  in  public  health  could  not  do  the  job 
alone.  We  needed  to  cooperate,  communicate,  collaborate,  and  form 
partnerships  if  we  wanted  to  take  care  of  the  problems  we  had. 

We  needed  to  use  all  of  the  resources  available  in  our  commu- 
nity. Our  United  Methodist  bishop  had  a  statement  that  I  fre- 
quently borrowed  from.  He  said  it's  like  dancing  with  a  bear.  When 
you  are  dancing  with  a  bear,  you  can't  get  tired  and  sit  down.  You 
have  to  wait  until  the  bear  gets  tired,  and  then  you  sit  down. 

I  do  not  believe  that  we  can  dictate  from  above  what  local  com- 
munities need  to  do  to  solve  all  of  our  public  health  problems  we 
are  encountering  today.  We  must  empower  each  community  to  help 
design  its  own  solutions. 

As  a  result  of  my  background,  education,  training  and  experi- 
ence, I  have  become  a  strong  advocate  for  programs  that  will 
strengthen  families,  reduce  risky  behaviors,  improve  health,  and 
enable  children  to  become  healthy,  educated,  motivated,  and  to 
have  hope  for  the  future. 

The  Chairman.  Dr.  Elders,  it  is  10  a.m.  and  there  has  been  an 
objection  filed  under  the  Senate  rules;  it  is  my  intention  to  con- 
tinue long  enough  to  allow  you  to  complete  your  statement.  The 
only  penalty,  as  I  understand  it,  is  that  the  chairman  is  liable  for 
the  cost  of  the  transcript,  which  I  will  be  willing  to  do. 

Senator  MiKULSKi.  Well  all  pitch  in.  Til  have  a  bake  sale. 

The  Chairman.  So  well  allow  you  to  complete  your  opening 
statement  and  then  recess. 

Senator  Coats.  I  think  that's  appropriate,  Mr.  Chairman. 

The  Chairman.  It  would  be  a  disservice  not  to  hear  Dr.  Elders 

out. 

Dr.  Elders.  Thank  you,  Mr.  Chairman. 

Far  too  many  of  our  children  are  becoming  members  of  what  we 
now  call  the  "5-H  Club"— every  night  in  America,  millions  of  chil- 
dren go  to  bed  hungry.  Thirty-seven  million  of  our  Americans  are 
helpless;  a  third  of  those  are  children.  Out  of  the  thousands  of  peo- 
ple who  are  homeless,  a  third  of  those  are  children.  Too  many  are 
nugless,  with  nobody  to  love  them;  many  of  them  are  hopeless,  with 
nowhere  to  go  and  no  way  to  get  there. 

I  would  like  now  to  explain  what  I  am  about,  but  before  I  do 
that,  I  would  like  to  address  some  of  the  issues  about  me  that  have 
been  raised  in  the  past  few  days. 

On  the  Social  Security,  it  has  been  paid.  My  husband  had  power 
of  attorney  for  his  mother,  and  he  handled  her  affairs. 

As  to  the  salary  issue,  until  last  week,  I  had  been  taking  vaca- 
tion days,  which  I  earned,  and  for  which  I  would  have  been  paid 
anyway,  to  split  my  time  between  here  and  Arkansas.  Once  I  real- 
ized that  I  needed  to  be  here  full-time  working  on  this  confirmation 
hearing  and  preparing  for  the  office  of  Surgeon  General,  I  resigned 
as  director  of the  Arkansas  Department  of  Health. 

As  to  the  bank,  any  loans  I  received  were  well  below  the  maxi- 
mum limit;  they  were  approved  as  required,  and  made  at  the  going 
rate  of  interest  and  have  all  been  paid. 


I  will  be  happy  to  discuss  these  and  other  issues  in  greater  detail 
at  the  close  of  my  statement. 

We  all  know  that  children  need  multiple  interventions,  Senator. 
Single  strategies  will  not  work.  It  is  like  having  a  leaky  bucket 
with  ten  holes,  and  we  plug  five,  so  we  still  have  a  bucket  that  is 
leaking. 

I  am  about  early  childhood  education  to  help  children  get  a  good 
start  in  life.  Only  18  percent  of  Medicaid  children  in  Arkansas,  the 
poorest  of  the  poor,  have  an  opportunity  to  attend  Head  Start.  We 
know  that  early  childhood  education  is  cost-effective  and  a  preven- 
tive measure  that  reduces  the  likelihood  that  such  children  will 
end  up  as  dropouts,  pushouts,  in  prison,  or  as  teen  parents. 

I  am  about — and  have  always  been  about — comprehensive  health 
education  programs  from  kindergarten  through  12th  grade.  Com- 
prehensive health  education  means  age-appropriate  nealth  edu- 
cation programs  which  include  information  about  self-esteem,  alco- 
hol and  substance  abuse,  including  tobacco;  nutrition  education  and 
fitness;  violence  prevention;  AIDS  and  human  sexuality.  It  means 
being  healthy  and  feeling  good  about  yourself.  Comprehensive 
health  education  teaches  children  to  take  care  of  themselves.  Our 
children  deserve  that  chance. 

We  must  educate  our  parents  so  that  they  will  know  how  to  in- 
still in  their  children  the  courage,  strength,  and  perseverance  to 
meet  the  challenges  of  growing  up.  Because  we  do  not  want  them 
to  do  anything  wrong,  many  times  parents  are  unable  to  give  their 
children  sound,  solid  direction. 

I  believe  we  need  to  teach  our  young  men  to  be  responsible.  Chil- 
dren born  today  need  all  the  help  they  can  get  to  succeed  in  this 
world,  including  two  nurturing  parents.  They  deserve  to  know  and 
receive  support  from  both  parents. 

I  am  about  comprehensive  school-based  or  school-linked  health 
services  which  provide  primary  preventive  health  care  for  children 
in  or  near  the  schools,  where  they  spend  most  of  their  time.  In  Ar- 
kansas, it  has  been  our  policy  that  the  local  community  decides  if 
they  want  a  school-based  clinic.  They  decide  what  they  want  in 
their  school-based  clinics.  And  if  you  as  a  parent  do  not  want  your 
children  to  use  all  of  the  services,  or  some  services,  you  can  select 
the  services  that  you  want  your  children  to  use  in  that  clinic. 

I  believe  we  must  offer  our  bright  young  people  hope  for  the  fu- 
ture by  providing  scholarships  to  those  who  stay  out  of  trouble  and 
do  well  in  school.  It  is  far  cheaper  to  pay  to  send  them  to  college 
than  it  is  to  send  them  to  prison. 

Finally,  I  am  about  improving  the  quality  of  life  for  all  Ameri- 
cans. We  have  improved  the  quantity  or  length  of  life;  now  we  must 
improve  the  quality  of  life  by:  preventing  chronic  and  infectious  dis- 
eases; reducing  infant  mortality;  eliminating  the  serious  disparities 
between  minorities;  preventing  and  reducing  the  toll  of  injuries  and 
disabilities  in  our  society;  preventing  violence;  improving  women's 
health,  and  providing  care  and  services  for  our  elderly  so  they  can 
live  in  dignity  and  comfort  during  their  final  days. 

As  Surgeon  General,  I  will  be  a  true  advocate  for  the  improve- 
ment of  health  in  America,  a  strong  and  dedicated  leader  for  the 
Public  Health  Service  Commissioned  Corps,  and  an  effective  rep- 
resentative for  the  Public  Health  Service. 


10 

If  confirmed,  Senator  Pell,  I  want  you  to  know  that  I  am  excited 
about  commanding  the  Public  Health  Service  Commissioned  Corps. 
What  doctor  wouldn't  be  excited  about  working  with  over  6,500 
highly  trained  and  experienced  health  professionals?  The  Commis- 
sioned Corps  plays  such  a  key  role  in  addressing  the  public  health 
threats  of  today,  whether  they  be  polio,  AIDS,  floods,  or  hurricanes. 
I  commit  to  you  that  under  my  leadership,  the  Corps  will  continue 
to  be  a  vital  force  in  protecting  the  health  of  America. 

Mr.  Chairman  and  members  of  this  committee,  I  want  to  change 
the  way  we  think  about  health  by  putting  prevention  first.  I  want 
to  challenge  the  behaviors  and  attitudes  of  Americans  by  promoting 
programs  and  policies  which  will  enable  each  of  us  to  be  respon- 
sible for  our  own  health.  I  want  to  be  the  voice  and  the  vision  of 
the  poor  and  the  powerless.  I  want  to  change  concern  about  social 
problems  that  affect  health  into  commitment.  And  I  would  like  to 
make  every  child  born  in  America  a  planned  and  wanted  child. 

Should  I  be  confirmed,  I  would  like  to  work  with  each  of  you  and 
all  America  to  develop  an  action  plan  to  improve  the  health  of  our 
country.  To  me,  it  is  not  enough  just  to  reform  the  health  care  sys- 
tem. We  will  never  have  a  large  enough  budget  to  address  all  the 
health  care  needs  of  our  citizens  if  we  do  not  start  thinking  preven- 
tion and  taking  personal  responsibility  for  our  health. 

I  am  a  hard  worker.  I  am  willing  to  give  my  time  and  my  talent. 
We  have  a  great  task  before  us,  and  I  hope  you  will  see  fit  to  make 
me  a  part  of  your  team. 

I  would  like  to  close  with  an  old  Greek  saying  that  I  use  a  lot. 
It  says  that  a  society  grows  great  when  old  men  plant  trees  under 
whose  shade  they  know  theyll  never  sit.  I  look  forward  to  working 
with  you  to  help  plant  trees  for  the  future  generation  of  America. 

Thank  you. 

[The  prepared  statement  of  Dr.  Elders  follows:! 

Prepared  Statement  of  Dr.  M.  Joycelyn  Elders 

Good  Morning.  Mr.  Chairman,  Senator  Kassebaum  and  members  of  the  Senate 
Labor  and  Human  Resources  Committee,  it  is  a  great  honor  to  appear  before  you 
today  as  President  Clinton's  nominee  for  the  position  of  Surgeon  General.  I  want 
to  thank  you  for  taking  time  from  your  busy  schedules  to  meet  with  me  during  the 
past  few  weeks.  I  appreciate  that  opportunity  and  look  forward  to  talking  with  those 
of  you  I  have  not  yet  met. 

Before  proceeding  further,  I  would  like  to  take  this  opportunity  to  thank  my  dear 
husband,  Oliver  Elders,  and  all  of  my  family  and  friends,  many  of  whom  are  here 
today,  who  have  supported  me  throughout  my  career,  and  particularly,  for  their  sup- 
port (luring  the  past  6  months.  Many  say  I  am  a  lightening  rod.  Please  know  that 
they  havebeen  my  thunder. 

I  appear  before  you  today  at  a  time  when  our  entire  Nation  is  facing  great  chal- 
lenges in  public  health.  AIDS,  violence,  teenage  pregnancy,  a  drug  resistant  strain 
of  tuberculosis,  low  immunization  rates  all  indicate  we  have  not  done  a  very  good 
iob  at  selling  healthy  lifestyles  in  this  country.  I  believe  the  only  way  to  heal  our 
Nation  is  through  prevention.  Prevention -requires  education.  If  confirmed,  I  would 
make  my  utmost  goal  the  education  of  our  people,  all  our  people,  on  how  to  stay 
healthy. 

I  have  some  personal  and  professional  understanding  of  these  challenges  that  I 
would  like  to  share  with  you. 

I  am  the  oldest  of  eight  children.  I  had  never  seen  a  physician  prior  to  my  first 
year  at  college.  One  of  my  earliest  memories  concerning  the  lack  01  health  care  was 
my  4  year  old  brother,  who  had  a  ruptured  appendix  and  was  taken  to  the  doctor 
more  than  10  miles  away  on  the  back  of  a  mule.  His  abdomen  was  lanced,  a  drain 
placed,  and  he  was  sent  home.  I  have  heard  my  mother  scream  during  difficult  child 
deliveries,  without  any  medical  help.  I  have  seen  bright  young  people  all  over  this 


11 

country  surrounded  by  social  problems  impacting  health  such  as  drugs,  alcohol,  vio- 
lence, homicide,  suicide,  AIDS  and  teenage  pregnancy.  My  experience  has  led  me 
to  know  first  hand  many  of  the  programs  administered  by  the  Public  Health  Service 
and  other  Federal  agencies. 

Second,  I  know  about  taking  advantage  of  opportunities.  The  United  Methodist 
Church  helped  me  reach  the  first  rung  of  the  ladder  that  enabled  me  to  be  here 
today  by  providing  a  scholarship  to  Philander  Smith  College  at  age  15.  After  college, 
I  enlisted  in  the  Army  and  became  a  physical  therapist.  Following  my  service  years, 
I  attended  medical  school  on  the  GI  bill  and  after  completing  my  medical  training 
became  a  board  certified  pediatric  endocrinologist.  I  know  the  importance  of  provid- 
ing  opportunities  for  our  children  today. 

Third,  as  a  physician  in  public  health  clinics  and  at  the  University  of  Arkansas 
School  of  Medicine,  I  have  been  the  provider  of  many  of  the  services  supported  by 
public  health  programs. 

Fourth,  I  am  a  teacher.  For  over  20  years,  I  have  been  on  the  faculty  in  the  De- 
partment of  Pediatrics  at  the  University  of  Arkansas  School  of  Medicine. 

During  my  medical  career,  I  was  a  National  Institutes  of  Health  career  develop- 
ment awardee.  I  served  on  NIH  study  sections,  advisory  committees  for  both  the 
NIH  and  the  FDA  and,  as  a  consultant  to  or  as  a  member  of  advisory  committees 
for  many  of  the  programs  sponsored  by  the  Public  Health  Service.  I  am  an  experi- 
enced researcher  having  authored  many  articles  on  hormonal  growth  disorders  in 
children.  I  appreciate  the  need  to  have  good  scientific  facts  to  back  up  conclusions. 

For  the  past  5  Vi  years,  I  have  been  an  administrator  at  the  State  level  as  Director 
of  the  Arkansas  Department  of  Health.  Last  year,  I  was  honored  by  my  fellow 
health  directors  when  they  elected  me  President  of  the  Association  of  State  and  Ter- 
ritorial Health  Officers  (ASTHO). 

Finally,  I  am  a  coalition  builder.  Since  becoming  the  Director  of  the  Arkansas  De- 
partment of  Health,  I  have  spent  a  great  deal  of  my  time,  recruiting  the  help  of 
churches,  schools,  civic  organizations,  judges,  businesses  and  local  communities.  I 
realized  that  I  could  not  do  the  job  alone.  I  needed  to  mobilize  all  of  the  resources 
available  in  our  communities  to  help  save  the  most  valuable  resource  we  will  ever 
have,  our  human  capital.  I  do  not  believe  that  we  can  dictate  from  above  what  local 
communities  need  to  do  to  solve  the  public  health  problems  we  are  encountering 
today.  We  must  empower  each  community  to  design  their  own  solutions. 

As  a  result  of  my  background,  education,  training,  and  experience,  I  have  become 
a  strong  advocate  for  programs  that  will  strengthen  families,  reduce  risky  behaviors, 
improve  health  and  enable  children  to  become  healthy,  educated,  motivated  and  to 
have  hope  for  the  future.  Far  too  many  of  our  children  have  become  members  of 
what  I  call  the  5-H  Club— hungry,  healthless,  homeless,  hugless,  and  hopeless. 

I  would  like  to  explain  what  1  am  about.  But  before  I  do  that,  I  would  like  to  ad- 
dress some  issues  about  me  that  have  been  raised. 

I  am  about  early  childhood  education  to  help  children  get  a  good  start  in  life.  Only 
18%  of  Medicaid  children  in  Arkansas,  the  poorest  of  the  poor,  have  the  opportunity 
to  attend  Headstart.  We  know  that  early  childhood  education  is  cost  effective  and 
a  preventive  measure  that  reduces  the  likelihood  that  such  children  will  end  up  as 
drop-outs,  push-outs  in  prison,  or  as  teen  parents. 

I  am  about — and  always  have  been  about— comprehensive  health  education  from 
kindergarten  through  the  twelfth  grade.  Comprehensive  health  education  means 
age-appropriate  health  education  programs  which  include  information  on:  self  es- 
teem, alcohol  and  substance  abuse  including  tobacco  nutrition  education  and  fitness 
exercise,  violence  prevention,  ADDS  and  human  sexuality.  It  means  being  healthy 
and  feeling  good  about  yourself.  Comprehensive  health  education  teaches  children 
to  take  care  of  themselves.  Our  children  deserve  that  chance. 

I  advocate  educating  our  parents  so  that  all  will  know  how  to  instill  in  their  chil- 
dren the  courage,  strength  and  perseverance  to  meet  the  challenges  of  growing  up. 
We  do  not  teach  parents  how  to  be  good  parents.  Because  they  do  not  want  to  do 


anything  wrong,  too  often  some  parents  simply  do  nothing  when  it  comes  to  provid- 
ing sound,  solid  direction  and  guidance  for  their  children. 

I  believe  we  must  teach  our  young  men  to  be  responsible.  Children  being  born 
today  need  all  the  help  they  can  get  to  succeed  in  this  world — including  two  nurtur- 
ing parents  when  possible.  They  deserve  to  know  and  receive  support  from  both  par- 
ents. Young  men  must  learn  that  being  a  father  is  more  than  just  donating  a  sperm. 

I  am  about  comprehensive  school-based  or  school-linked  health  services  which  pro- 
vide primary  preventive  care  for  children  at  or  near  where  they  spend  most  of  their 
day,  m  school.  In  Arkansas,  it  was  my  policy  (which  was  later  codified)  that  the 
local  community  and  the  local  elected  school  board  would  decide  if  they  wanted  a 
clinic  in  their  school  and  what  services  to  be  provided  in  the  clinic.  Only  4  out  of 
24  clinics  in  Arkansas  offer  contraceptives  on  site.  Even  in  those  clinics,  the  parents 


12 

must  sign  a  release  statement  before  their  child  can  receive  family  planning  coun- 
seling and  contraceptives  from  the  clinic. 

I  believe  we  must  offer  our  bright,  young  people  hope  for  the  future  by  providing 
scholarships  to  those  who  stay  out  of  trouble  and  do  well  in  school  so  they  can  at- 
tend college.  It  is  far  cheaper  to  send  them  to  college  than  to  send  them  to  prison. 
Finally,  I  am  about  improving  the  quality  of  life  of  all  Americans  by: 
-preventing  chronic  and  infectious  diseases,  including  cancer,  heart  disease,  hy- 
pertension, tuberculosis,  and  AIDS; 
-reducing  infant  morbidity  and  mortality; 

-eliminating  the  serious  disparities  in  health  problems  that  minority  groups  ex- 
perience; 

•preventing  and  reducing  the  toll  of  injuries  and  disabilities  in  our  society; 
-preventing  violence; 
-improving  womens'  health;  and 

-providing  care  and  services  for  our  elderly  so  they  can  live  in  dignity  and  com- 
fort during  their  final  years. 

As  Surgeon  General,  I  will  be  a  true  advocate  for  the  improvement  of  health  in 
America,  a  strong  dedicated  leader  for  the  U JS.  Public  Health  Service  Commissioned 
Corps  and  an  effective  representative  for  the  Public  Health  Service. 

Mr.  Chairman,  and  members  of  this  committee,  I  want  to  change  the  way  we 
think  about  health — by  putting  prevention  first.  I  want  to  change  the  behaviors  and 
attitudes  of  Americans  by  promoting  programs  and  policies  which  will  enable  us  to 
be  responsible  for  our  own  health.  I  want  to  be  the  voice  and  the  vision  for  the  poor 
and  the  powerless.  I  want  to  change  concern  about  social  problems  that  affect  health 
into  commitment.  And,  I  would  like  to  make'  every  child  born  in  America  a  planned, 
wanted  child. 

Should  I  be  confirmed,  I  would  like  to  work  with  you  and  all  America  to  develop 
an  action  plan  to  improve  the  health  of  our  country.  To  me,  it  is  not  enough  to  just 
reform  the  health  care  system.  We  will  never  have  a  large  enough  budget  to  address 
all  the  health  care  needs  of  our  citizens  if  we  do  not  start  thinking  prevention  and 
taking  personal  responsibility  for  our  health. 

I  am  a  hard  worker.  I  am  willing  to  give  my  time  and  my  talent.  We  have  a  big 
task  before  us,  and  I  hope  you  will  see  fit  to  make  me  part  of  your  team. 

I  will  be  most  happy  to  respond  to  any  questions. 

The  Chairman.  The  committee  will  stand  in  recess  subject  to  call 
of  the  chair.  As  I  mentioned  earlier,  we  will  meet  when  the  Senate 
is  out  of  session  and  continue  this  hearing,  today,  this  afternoon, 
tonight,  tomorrow,  until  it  is  concluded. 

The  committee  stands  in  recess. 

[Whereupon,  at  10:10  a.m.,  the  committee  was  adjourned  subject 
to  call  of  the  chair.] 

[Whereupon,  at  1:05  p.m.,  the  committee  reconvened,  Senator 
Edward  M.  Kennedy,  chairman  of  the  committee,  presiding.] 

The  Chairman.  Well  come  to  order. 

We'd  be  delighted  to  now  recognize  our  friend  and  colleague,  Sen- 
ator Hatfield,  for  whatever  presentation  he  would  like  to  make. 
Senator  Boren  is  on  his  way,  and  Senator  Carol  Moseley-Braun  is 
on  her  way,  as  well  as  Congresswoman  Lambert.  So  what  well  do 
is  hear  the  opening  comments  and  then  go  to  15-minute  rounds  for 
questioning,  with  my  understanding  with  Senator  Kassebaum  that 
whatever  opening  comments  members  wish  to  make  will  be  in- 
cluded in  their  time  allocation  so  that  we  can  move  more  rapidly 
toward  the  questions  and  answers  of  the  nominee.  We  have  done 
that  on  other  occasions  when  we  have  been  pressed  in  terms  of 
time  considerations,  although  as  far  as  the  Chair  is  concerned,  he 
is  not  pressed  for  time.  But  we  shall  proceed  in  that  particular 
way. 

So  we  thank  our  colleagues  very  much,  as  well  as  the  nominee. 
We  apologize  for  any  inconveniences  to  her,  and  we  also  express 
our  appreciation  to  our  fellow  colleagues  for  their  attendance  here 


13 

and  their  willingness  to  share  with  us  their  views  about  the  nomi- 
nee, and  well  recognize  them  in  order  of  seniority. 
Senator  Hatfield ,  we  are  glad  to  have  you  back. 

STATEMENT  OF  THE  HONORABLE  MARE  O.  HATFIELD,  A  U.S. 
SENATOR  FROM  THE  STATE  OF  OREGON 

Senator  Hatfield.  Thank  you,  Mr.  Chairman  and  members  of 
the  committee. 

As  I  indicated  earlier  today,  I  come  here  today  with  ambivalence 
of  emotion.  First,  I  am  saddened  that  the  ones  who  would  normally 
be  making  this  introduction,  Senator  Bumpers  and  Senator  Pryor 
of  Arkansas,  are  in  Arkansas  today  attending  the  funeral  of  Mr. 
Foster,  who  tragically  ended  his  life.  So  that  makes  me  sad  that 
I  am  here  on  that  basis  in  part. 

But  I  am  very  honored,  and  I  am  very  happy  to  be  here  following 
a  telephone  conversation  with  Dr.  Elders,  inviting  me  to  make  a 
part  of  the  introduction  to  this  committee.  I  am  especially  honored 
because,  after  listening  to  her  opening  statement  this  morning,  she 
really  needs  no  introduction,  because  the  eloquence  of  that  state- 
ment speaks  for  itself.  But  the  Lord  had  to  have  an  introducer  in 
John  the  Baptist,  so  I  guess  even  as  great  as  Dr.  Elders  is,  it  is 
still  appropriate  to  have  an  introducer. 

Mr.  Chairman,  Dr.  Elders  has  such  a  well-established  record  as 
a  medical  professor,  a  pediatrician,  a  researcher  and  a  teacher  that 
one  cannot  help  but  be  moved  by  her  biography  and  her  back- 
ground. Her  achievements  speak  for  themselves,  and  the  committee 
has  had  a  presentation  in  printed  form  and  in  her  eloquent  state- 
ment today,  so  I  shall  not  go  through  those  major  accomplishments 
again. 

But  I  would  like  to  say  that  in  those  accomplishments,  Dr.  Elders 
is  the  embodiment  and  the  living  example  that  the  American 
dream  is  still  a  reality;  that  with  will  and  determination  and  the 
support  of  loving  family  and  friends,  that  she  can  achieve  and  be- 
come a  tremendous  verification  of  the  American  dream. 

I  suppose  I  feel  very  strongly  about  that  for  many  reasons,  in 
that  my  privilege  of  chairing  an  Inaugural  ceremony  and  sitting 
there  on  that  occasion  with  the  President-elect  and  the  outgoing 
President  and  the  Vice  Presidents,  the  Members  of  Congress,  mem- 
bers of  the  Diplomatic  Corps,  the  U.S.  Supreme  Court,  and  thou- 
sands of  cheering  Americans,  I  turned  to  my  wife,  and  I  said,  "Not 
bad  for  the  son  of  a  railroad  blacksmith  and  the  daughter  of  an  im- 
migrant longshoreman." 

She  responded  quickly  to  me:  "Only  in  America." 

So  I  cannot  help  but  make  some  identification  with  the  fact  that 
this  is  a  possible  upwardly  mobile  society. 

Dr.  Elders  first  was  brought  to  my  attention  by  my  daughter 
Elizabeth,  who  last  month  graduated  from  the  Oregon  Health 
Science  University  as  a  medical  doctor  and  was  telling  me  about 
her  commencement  speaker,  Dr.  Elders,  for  whom  there  had  been 
given  a  standing  ovation  by  the  students  and  faculty  of  the  Oregon 
Health  Science  University. 

Also,  probably  one  of  the  most  distinguished,  I  believe,  of  medical 
administrators,  Dr.  Peter  Kohler  of  the  Oregon  Health  Science  Uni- 
versity, gave  me  a  briefing  on  Dr.  Elders  because  he  had  been  at 


14 

the  Arkansas  Medical  Center  with  Dr.  Elders.  So  I  do  not  come  as 
a  stranger,  even  though  I  only  met  Dr.  Elders  herself  day  before 
yesterday. 

I  also  had  the  visitation  of  about  a  dozen  of  the  presidents  of  the 
American  Association  of  Medical  Colleges  call  upon  me  to  give  me 
a  further  briefing  and  statements  of  support  on  behalf  of  Dr.  El- 
ders. 

But  then  the  lady  herself  appeared  in  my  office  only  day  before 
yesterday.  Dr.  Elders  is  a  spreader  of  virus.  She  infected  me  imme- 
diately with  a  virus  of  enthusiasm,  a  virus  of  vision,  a  virus  of  hope 
that  she  has  for  so  many  in  this  country.  So  I  can  say  that  I  did 
immediately  become  one  of  her  short-time  but  long-term  supporters 
and  enthusiasts. 

Now,  Mr.  Chairman,  Dr.  Elders  and  I  do  not  agree  on  abortion. 
And  some  of  my  colleagues  and  some  of  my  friends  have  had  dif- 
ficulty on  that  particular  issue  because  they  too  disagree  with  Dr. 
Elders.  But  as  I  look  around  this  committee,  I'm  not  sure  I  find 
anybody  who  agrees  with  me  on  that  position,  so  it  looks  like,  Dr. 
Elders,  you  win  the  vote  on  that  basis.  [Laughter.] 

But  let  me  say  that  Dr.  Elders  and  I  thoroughly  agree,  whole- 
heartedly agree,  and  we  have  a  strong  lifetime  commitment  to  pre- 
vention and  education  to  make  abortion  a  moot  issue.  And  if  we 
can  lower  our  voices  from  all  sides  in  this  very  volatile  debate  and 
debated  issue,  I  am  convinced  that  the  way  we  achieve  that  kind 
of  prevention  and  that  kind  of  strategy  to  make  abortion  a  moot 
issue  is  guaranteeing  that  safe  and  effective  contraceptives  are 
available  and  that  individuals,  especially  teenagers,  have  been  pro- 
vided with  enough  education  on  sexual  reproduction  that  they  fully 
understand  the  responsibilities  that  come  with  the  choices  they 
make. 

Certainly  abstinence  is  preferred  and  should  be  stressed  as  a  top 
priority.  But  I  want  to  emphasize  again,  this  need  not  be  an  issue 
in  any  way  to  disqualify  Dr.  Elders  from  acting  as  Surgeon  General 
when  her  commitment,  like  all  of  us,  I  believe,  is  to  eliminate  the 
issue  by  prevention  and  education. 

Other  issues  on  which  Dr.  Elders  and  I  have  agreement  include 
access  to  primary  care  for  all  Americans  and  also,  the  expansion 
of  medical  research  and  education.  Mr.  Chairman,  members  of  the 
committee,  I  am  concerned  that  even  in  our  debates  at  the  moment 
on  comprehensive  health  care,  there  has  been  an  absence  of  the 
major  mechanism  for  ultimate  cost  control,  and  that  is  medical  re- 
search and  our  commitment  to  medical  research.  But  she  is  very 
catholic  in  her  perspective  in  that  she  sees  the  totality  of  this  kind 
of  health  goal  for  America — delivery,  education,  access,  research. 
And  it  is  a  part  of  a  whole  and  cannot  be  segmented  from  reality. 

I  am  also  convinced  that  with  her  leadership,  her  spirit  and  her 
intelligence,  she  will  be  a  great  Surgeon  General. 

So  again,  Mr.  Chairman,  I  will  say  it  is  an  honor  to  be  here  and 
to  assist  my  colleagues,  Senator  Boren,  Senator  Moseley-Braun  and 
others  in  presenting  Dr.  Elders  to  this  committee.  I  wish  her  well, 
and  I  look  forward  to  the  privilege  of  casting  a  vote  on  the  floor 
of  the  U.S.  Senate  on  her  confirmation. 


15 

The  Chairman.  Thank  you  very  much  for  those  excellent  com- 
ments, and  we  are  very  grateful  to  you,  Senator  Hatfield,  for  your 
presence. 

Senator  Boren. 

STATEMENT  OF  THE  HONORABLE  DAVID  L.  BOREN,  A  U.S. 
SENATOR  FROM  THE  STATE  OF  OKLAHOMA 

Senator  Boren.  Thank  you  very  much,  Mr.  Chairman. 

It  is  very  difficult  to  find  words  that  would  add  to  those  words 
that  have  been  spoken  by  Senator  Hatfield  and  that  were  spoken 
so  eloquently  this  morning  in  our  abbreviated  session  by  Dr.  Elders 
herself.  .     o 

I  very  much  appreciate  the  opportunity  to  join  with  Senator  Hat- 
field and  other  colleagues  in  presenting  Dr.  Elders  to  you  as  the 
President's  nominee  For  Surgeon  General.  I  have  watched  as  a 
neighbor  across  the  border  from  Arkansas  her  career,  her  record, 
ana  I  have  admired  her  courage.  As  I  was  listening  to  her  this 
morning,  I  was  reflecting  not  only  about  Dr.  Elders  but  about  the 
State  of  American  politics.  The  qualities  we  most  need  in  this  coun- 
try are  forthrightness,  honesty,  the  moral  courage  of  speaking 
clearly  one's  convictions  straight  from  the  heart,  and  a  deep  and 
abiding  caring  about  the  people. 

As  I  listened  to  Dr.  Elders  this  morning,  I  heard  and  I  felt  and 
I  sensed  those  qualities  in  her  presentation.  One  of  the  tragedies 
of  American  politics  and  the  age  in  which  we  are  all  participating 
in  it  is  that  it  is  becoming  increasingly  difficult  to  be  allowed  to 
perform  public  service  in  our  country  today  when  one  does  speak 
forthrightiy  and  honestly,  when  one's  public  statements  are  an  ac- 
curate transcript  of  one  s  feelings  and  best  judgments  about  what 
is  in  the  public  interest.  It  has  become  easier  for  those  with  no 
record  ana  no  opinions,  those  who  avoid  controversies,  those  who 
do  not  have  the  moral  courage  of  their  own  convictions,  those  who 
have  never  engaged  in  any  controversy  because  they  have  never 
taken  a  stand  on  anything,  to  be  easily  and  speedily  put  into  posi- 
tions of  public  trust  in  our  country  than  it  is  for  those  who  are 
most  needed  because  they  talk  straight  to  us  and  honestly  to  us 
about  our  responsibilities. 

It  is  also  a  sad  thing  that  in  our  politics  in  the  day  and  time  in 
which  we  are  living  that  we  have  come  to  stop  at  times  focusing 
upon  the  fair  treatment  of  individuals,  the  fair  valuation  of  their 
careers,  their  records,  and  even  their  points  of  view,  and  we  tend 
instead  sometimes,  because  of  our  strong  feelings  on  one  issue  or 
another,  to  make  people  pawns  in  a  political  chess  game  and  to 
treat  them  as  such  instead  of  treating  them  as  human  beings  who 
are  entitled  to  be  evaluated  on  the  Basis  of  their  own  character, 
record,  and  pronouncements. 

So  I  was  honored  when  Dr.  Elders  called  me  and  asked  me  to 
come.  I  can  only  tell  you  that  I  am  even  more  honored  to  be  here 
after  hearing  her  remarks  this  morning,  and  I  come  with  an  even 
stronger  conviction  that  she  should  be  the  next  Surgeon  General  of 
the  United  States  for  the  sake  of  our  country  and  especially  for  the 
sake  of  the  children  in  our  country. 

My  good  friend  from  Arkansas,  Senator  Pryor,  asked  me  to  rep- 
resent him  today.  He  and  Senator  Bumpers,  as  Senator  Hatfield 


16 

said,  both  very  much  wanted  to  be  here.  They  feel  very  strongly 
about  this  nomination,  but  because  of  the  tragedy  that  took  place, 
they  are  in  Arkansas  attending  the  funeral  services  of  their  close 
friend  today. 

Senator  Pryor  before  he  left  did  write  in  his  own  handwriting  on 
a  legal  pad  some  comments,  and  as  always,  and  since  Senator 
Pryor  knows  Dr.  Elders  so  well,  his  comments  are  so  much  to  the 
point,  and  I  would  hope  that  the  chairman  might  indulge  me  in 
reading  at  least  a  portion  of  what  Senator  Pryor  wanted  to  say  to 
you  if  he  were  here  today. 

He  says:  "In  America,  every  32  seconds,  a  teenage  girl  becomes 
pregnant  Every  35  seconds,  a  child  is  born  into  poverty.  Every  64 
seconds,  an  infant  is  born  to  a  teenage  mother.  Every  14  minutes, 
an  infant  dies  in  the  first  year  of  its  life.  In  1965,  10  percent  of 
all  children  under  18  lived  in  a  single-parent  home.  In  1985,  that 
number  had  risen  to  21  percent.  Mr.  Chairman,  these  are  not  facts 
and  figures  that  apply  to  Bulgaria  or  Uganda;  they  apply  to  Amer- 
ica— our  America — and  it  is  happening  today." 

"A  bold  and  clear  voice  has  been  heard  that  awakens  us.  It 
shakes  us.  It  makes  us  talk  and  think  about  the  unthinkable  con- 
sequences to  our  families,  our  communities,  our  country  and  our  so- 
cial fabric  should  we  continue  to  ignore  the  enslaving  cycles  of 
events  that  eat  away  at  America's  family  structure.  That  clear 
voice  belongs  to  Dr.  Joycelyn  Elders,  who  is  today  President  Clin- 
ton's nominee." 

"Dr.  Elders  knows  poverty  because  she  lived  in  poverty,  and  she 
fought  her  way  out.  Sne  is  a  controversial  person  because  she  prac- 
tices in  a  controversial  world  of  reality  and  human  misery.  She 
makes  hard  statements  because  she  wants  us  to  listen.  She  wants 
us  to  listen  because  the  stakes  are  so  high,  and  to  fail  would  be 
so  devastating." 

"Out  of  this  tough  world  of  reality,  Dr.  Elders  has  developed 
strong  beliefs.  She  sees  a  society  in  deep  trouble,  and  she  offers  so- 
lutions to  problems  that  people  do  not  like  to  talk  about.  She  says 
what  she  thinks,  and  what  she  says  is  what  she  believes.  With  Dr. 
Elders,  there  is  no  sugar  coating,  no  abstract  mumblings.  For  us, 
she  is  the  brave  person  who  hears  the  time  bomb  ticking  and  has 
the  boldness  to  say  that  time  is  running  out.  That  is  courage.  That 
is  conviction.  And,  Mr.  Chairman,  that  is  leadership,  the  kind  of 
leadership  America  needs  to  face  down  the  crisis  that  challenges 
our  families,  our  communities  and  our  society." 

Senator  Pryor  closes  by  saying:  "I  proudly  support  and  endorse 
Dr.  Joycelyn  Elders  for  the  post  of  Surgeon  General.  I  am  confident 
she  will  challenge  all  of  us  to  face  up  to  the  tough  problems,  to 
reach  for  realistic  solutions,  and  to  help  America  be  the  best  that 
we  can  be."  - 

I  subscribe  to  all  of  those  comments,  those  direct  and  forceful 
comments  from  our  friend  and  our  colleague,  Senator  Pryor,  and  I 
would  like  to  add  a  few  thoughts  of  my  own. 

I  first  became  aware  of  the  exemplary  work  of  Dr.  Elders,  as  I 
said,  several  years  ago,  living  in  our  neighboring  State.  Several 
years  later  I  had  an  opportunity,  just  by  chance,  to  turn  on  the  tel- 
evision one  night  and  see  a  documentary  about  her  work  in  Arkan- 
sas. 


17 

As  I  began  to  learn  more  about  Dr.  Elders  and  her  ideas,  I  real- 
ized that  whether  or  not  one  agrees  with  every,  single  suggested 
solution  that  she  has  offered  for  the  public  health  problems  of  our 
country,  no  one  can  dispute  her  absolute  commitment  to  helping 
people,  particularly  children  and  young^  people. 

Later,  as  a  trustee  of  Yale  University,  I  had  the  opportunity  to 
see  Dr.  Elders  receive  an  honorary  degree  from  my  alma  mater. 
The  description  of  this  outstanding  American  from  her  honorary 
degree  citation,  which  I  might  say  was  drawn  by  those  who  are 
eminent  in  the  health  field  and  the  faculty  of  the  university,  elo- 
quently sums  up  Dr.  Elders  and  her  philosophy  about  public 
health.  Here  is  what  the  citation  said,  as  she  was  presented  that 
honorary  degree:  "As  a  physician,  scientist,  educator  and  public  of- 
ficial, you  have  brought  new  advocacy  and  commitment  to  the 
health  of  the  public.  Because  of  your  vision,  creativity  and  courage, 
Arkansas  legislators  have  confronted  the  issues  of  teenage  preg- 
nancy in  the  context  of  community  health.  While  others  debate  na- 
tional health  insurance,  you  advocate  the  principles  of  access,  qual- 
ity and  cost-effectiveness.  For  many  of  your  colleagues  dedicated  to 
maternal  and  child  health,  you  are  the  Nation's  leader." 

And  we  have  heard  the  selection  that  she  has  received  from 
those  who  head  the  public  health  programs  of  the  various  States 
and  municipalities  of  this  country;  they  feel  the  same,  and  they 
have  selected  her  as  their  leader. 

I  have  been  personally  impressed  by  the  personal  achievements 
of  Dr.  Elders  that  Senator  Pryor^s  statement  has  detailed— raised 
by  sharecropper  parents  in  rural  Arkansas,  one  of  eight  children. 
In  college,  she  scrubbed  dormitory  bathrooms  to  raise  money  for  ex- 
penses. She  was  the  first  African  American  woman  to  graduate 
from  the  University  of  Arkansas  Medical  School.  She  has  Deen  ac- 
claimed by  health  officials  and  organizations  across  this  country  as 
an  extraordinary  pediatrician  and  an  exemplary  public  health  offi- 
cial and  a  groundbreaking  researcher  in  the  study  of  child  develop- 
ment. She  was  the  first  African  American  and  the  first  woman  to 
hold  the  position  of  director  of  the  health  department  in  Arkansas. 

Her  nomination  has  been  endorsed  by  over  150  medical  associa- 
tions. As  the  committee  can  see,  her  personal  background  and  med- 
ical credentials  are  outstanding. 

However,  much  of  the  debate  about  Dr.  Elders'  nomination  has 
been  waged  not  on  the  basis  of  her  qualifications,  not  on  the  basis 
of  her  character,  but  on  the  basis  of  some  distortions  of  her  views 
on  public  health  issues.  Unfortunately,  people  who  speak  frankly 
about  our  Nation's  problems,  as  I  said,  who  confront  the  real  crises 
without  rose-colored  glasses,  often  become  controversial.  And  she 
has  spoken  very  frankly. 

We  need,  Mr.  Chairman  and  members  of  the  committee,  someone 
like  Dr.  Elders,  who  is  not  afraid  to  point  out  our  Nation's  prob- 
lems in  all  of  their  stark,  ugly,  and  difficult  reality. 

In  many  ways,  the  importance  of  the  post  of  Surgeon  General 
stems  from  its  ability  to  serve  as  the  bully  pulpit.  It  is  not  a  doc- 
tor's job  to  mince  words.  It  is  the  physician's  job  to  tell  us  what  is 
wrong  in  the  plainest  possible  terms.  And  in  her  position  as  direc- 
tor of  the  health  department  in  Arkansas,  Dr.  Elders,  if  she  had 
minimized  in  that  position  the  problems,  if  she  had  acted  like  a 


18 

politician  in  the  worst  sense  of  that  term,  if  she  had  not  pointed 
out  what  needed  to  be  said,  she  would  most  likely  sail  through  the 
nomination  process  without  controversy.  But  if  she  had  done  that, 
she  would  not  have  done  her  job,  and  as  Surgeon  General,  I  think 
all  of  us  expect  her  to  continue  to  tell  us  what  is  wrong  with  our 
public  health  in  the  plainest  possible  terms. 

To  say  a  nominee  is  unfit  because  she  speaks  bluntly  and  plainly 
about  issues  related  to  public  health  and  the  social  fabric  of  this 
country  could  not  be  more  dangerous.  We  must  allow  and  encour- 
age our  public  health  officials  to  speak  frankly,  as  Dr.  Elders  has 
demonstrated.  She  reminds  me  of  another  outspoken  advocate  of 
public  health,  our  former  Surgeon  General  and  an  appointee  of 
President  Reagan,  Dr.  C.  Everett  Koop. 

Dr.  Elders'  views  have  been  misunderstood  primarily  because  her 
critics  have  forgotten  her  clear  and  frequently  expressed  commit- 
ment— and  she  made  it  again,  Mr.  Chairman,  in  her  statement  this 
morning,  and  she  made  it  very  strongly —  her  frequently  expressed 
commitment  to  local  control  of  comprehensive  health  and  edu- 
cational services.  She  supports  bringing  health  services  to  where 
young  people  spend  most  of  their  time — to  the  schools.  However, 
she  advocates  with  equal  force  local  control  by  the  school  board  of 
the  services  that  will  be  offered.  She  has  never  sought  to  impose 
solutions  or  views  on  others;  instead,  she  has  tried  to  educate  and 
reach  consensus. 

For  example,  Dr.  Elders  helped  establish  school-based  clinics  in 
Arkansas,  but  allowed  local  school  boards  and  clinics  to  determine 
the  services  they  should  offer  according  to  their  needs,  and  in  fact 
to  allow  parents  to  determine,  as  she  said  this  morning,  the  serv- 
ices the  individual  child  would  receive.  Solutions  to  health  prob- 
lems in  neighborhood  with  few  intact  family  units  and  racked  by 
violence  and  drug  abuse  may  not  be  the  same  solutions  that  are 
appropriate  to  different  kinds  of  neighborhoods.  Local  control  al- 
lows parents  and  communities  to  solve  health  problems  in  ways  de- 
signed to  fit  their  particular  environment  and  to  best  serve  the 
needs  of  children. 

Addressing  the  health  crisis  of  our  Nation  will  not  be  an  easy 
task.  The  statistics  have  already  been  given  in  Senator  Pryor's 
statement.  I  would  also  point  out  that  almost  70  percent  of  all  indi- 
viduals who  have  been  incarcerated  in  this  country  over  the  past 
several  decades  were  born  out  of  wedlock.  We  may  differ  as  to  the 
best  solution  to  these  problems,  but  we  cannot  afford  to  turn  away 
from  the  fact  that  these  problems  exist.  We  must  not  bury  our 
heads  in  the  sand.  Dr.  Elders  challenges  us  to  confront  these  prob- 
lems. As  Surgeon  General,  she  can  effectively  play  that  role. 

I  strongly  encourage  the  committee  to  carefully  and  positively 
evaluate  her  nomination.  The  life  and  the  career  of  Joycelyn  Elders 
sends  a  message  to  young  people  across  America,  and  I  hope  young 
people  across  America  were  listening  to  Joycelyn  Elders  today  as 
she  testified.  She  sends  the  message  that  no  matter  how  modest 
may  be  your  financial  means,  no  matter  what  your  race  or  your 
gender,  through  ability,  hard  work,  and  above  all,  though  a  good 
heart  and  commitment  to  help  others,  you  can  make  a  difference 
in  your  home  community,  your  State,  and  your  Nation. 


19 

I  urge  this  committee  to  give  Dr.  Elders  an  opportunity  to  make 
that  major  impact  on  our  country. 

The  Chairman.  Thank  you  very  much,  Senator  Boren.  We  are 
very  appreciative  of  your  presence  and  obviously  very  sincere  and 
eloquent  comments. 

We  now  recognize  Senator  Moseley-Braun.  We  are  glad  to  have 
you  here  today. 

STATEMENT  OF  THE  HONORABLE  CAROL  MOSELEY-BRAUN,  A 
U.S.  SENATOR  FROM  THE  STATE  OF  ILLINOIS 

Senator  Moseley-Braun.  Thank  you  very  much,  Mr.  Chairman, 
ladies  and  gentlemen  of  the  committee. 

I  have  a  formal  written  statement  that  I  had  been  prepared  ear- 
lier today  to  deliver.  However,  I  don't  think  it  would  be  possible  to 
add  to  the  words  that  Senator  Boren  just  shared  with  this  commit- 
tee. He  has  described  Dr.  Elders'  record.  He  has  described  her  ap- 
proach to  public  service.  And  quite  frankly,  the  description  that  he 
nas  made  is  such  that  I  genuinely  would  like  to  associate  myself 
with  Senator  Boren's  remarks. 

I  was  delighted  the  other  day,  in  fact,  when  I  spoke  on  the  floor 
in  support  of  Dr.  Elders'  nomination,  that  almost  impromptu,  Sen- 
ator Boren  joined  in  the  colloquy — and  it  became  a  colloquy  be- 
cause he  joined  in — and  we  engaged  in  dialogue  on  the  floor  of  the 
Senate  about  this  fine  nominee  and  the  importance  of  this  nomina- 
tion.    . 

And  so,  having  associated  myself  with  Senator  Boren's  remarks, 
I  would  ask  first  that  my  written  statement  be  received  for  the 
record,  and  then  I  would  like  to  add  a  few  words  of  my  own  regard- 
ing both  this  nominee  and  the  significance  in  my  mind  of  her  nomi- 
nation. 

The  Chairman.  The  statement  will  be  printed  in  the  record  as 
if  read. 

[The  prepared  statement  of  Senator  Moseley-Braun  follows:] 

Prepared  Statement  of  Senator  Moseley-Braun 

Mr.  Chairman,  I  am  pleased  to  be  here  today  to  introduce  Dr.  Joycelyn  Elders 
to  the  committee.  I  have  known  Dr.  Elders  personally  for  only  a  short  while,  but 
I  have  known  of  her  outstanding  reputation  in  the  field  of  public  health  for  a  long, 
long  time. 

Dr.  Elders  will  make  a  superb  Surgeon  General  of  the  United  States.  She  has, 
throughout  her  career,  demonstrated  her  intelligence,  her  sound  judgement,  her 
character  and  her  integrity.  And  I  am  impressed  by  her  candor,  her  courage,  and 
her  dedication  to  improving  the  health  of  all  of  the  citizens  of  the  State  of  Arkansas. 
It  is  impossible  to  speak  with  her  and  not  recognize  her  warmth,  and  how  much 
she  cares  about  improving  the  health  of  every  American. 

Dr.  Elders  has  demonstrated  a  longstanding  commitment  to  the  health  of  chil- 
dren. She  was  a  pioneer  in  preventive  health  care,  and  has  always  stressed  early, 
aggressive  intervention.  In  addition,  her  tenure  as  director  of  health  for  the  State 
oiArkansas,  has  been  marked  by  great  achievements.  During  her  term,  the  State 
nearly  doubled  the  number  of  children  receiving  immunizations,  and  the  number  of 
pregnant  women  and  children  receiving  food  assistance.  Further,  she  was  instru- 
mental in  luring  a  significant  number  of  physicians  to  rural  community  health  cen- 
ters so  that  those  areas  would  no  longer  be  under-served. 

Dr.  Elders  has  worked  hard  to  improve  and  expand  prenatal  care,  early  childhood 
screening,  HTV  prevention,  and  cancer  prevention  programs  for  the  citizens  of  Ar- 
kansas. Prior  to  becoming  the  director  of  health,  Dr.  Eiders  established  a  successful 
clinical  practice  and  research  career  in  pediatric  endocrinology  at  the  University  of 
Arkansas. 


20 

Dr.  Elders  specializes  in  the  arena  of  reality  education.  She  is  not  afraid  to  speak 
eloquently  and  candidly  about  sex  to  our  young  people,  or  about  other  critical  public 
health  issues.  This  type  of  candor  was  revered  in  former  Surgeon  General  C.  Everett 
Hoop,  and  I  believe  Dr.  Elders  deserves  the  same  dignity  ana  respect. 

Dr.  Elders  is  superbly  qualified  for  the  job  of  Surgeon  General.  Her  entire  career 
from  academics  to  clinical  practice  to  administration  has  prepared  her  well  for  the 
new  challenges  that  will,  I  hope,  come  before  her  as  Surgeon  General.  I  won't  be- 
labor the  point — her  credentials  speak  for  themselves. 

I  endorse  the  candidacy  of  Dr.  Elders  for  U.S.  Surgeon  General  wholeheartedly 
and  without  reservation,  and  I  am  proud  to  be  able  to  be  with  her  here  today. 

Senator  Moseley-Braun.  Thank  you. 

The  nominee  comes  highly  recommended  and  highly  qualified  for 
this  position.  Dr.  Elders  nas  a  record  of  excellence  both  personally 
and  professionally.  All  of  her  years,  she  has  demonstrated  the  will- 
ingness and  ability  to  reach  outside  of  herself  from  the  early  days 
of  ner  career;  from  the  early  days,  even  before  she  was  a  physician, 
she  was  helping  other  people.  And  it  seems  to  me  again,  following 
on  Senator  Boren's  suggestions,  that  that  is  precisely  the  kind  of 
person  that  we  would  want  to  encourage  into  public  service. 

Her  dedication  and  commitment  to  excellence  and  hard  work  is 
demonstrated  by  how  far  she  has  come.  There  is  an  old  expression 
that  you  can't  really  judge  somebody  until  you  have  walked  a  mile 
in  their  moccasins;  but  the  fact  is,  the  moccasins  that  Dr.  Elders 
has  walked  in  should  give  inspiration  to  all  of  us  that  in  this  land, 
in  this  country,  opportunity  really  can  be  a  reality  for  those  who 
are  willing  to  hold  onto  hope  and  who  are  willing  to  work  for  and 
pursue  that  opportunity,  oo  her  own  story,  what  might  be  de- 
scribed as  a  Horatio  Alger  story,  should  be  a  source  of  inspiration 
for  all  of  us  as  Americans. 

The  importance  of  her  nomination  really  is  revealed  more  in  the 
statistics  and  the  stories  that  the  members  of  this  committee  know 
all  too  well.  Senator  Boren  touched  on  some  of  them.  They  are  sta- 
tistics that  tell  us  the  State  of  our  public  health  in  America.  They 
are  statistics  that  tell  us  that  we  have  a  higher  infant  mortality 
rate  than  many  Third  World  countries — I  wont  name  any,  but  cer- 
tainly there  are  many  of  them  that  have  more  impressive  statistics, 
more  impressive  records  of  dealing  with  childbirth  and  early  child- 
hood than  we  have  in  this  country.  They  are  statistics  that  tell  us 
that  single  parenthood  and  teenage  pregnancies  are  on  the  rise  and 
that  our  young  people  no  longer  seem  to  be  able  to  connect  to  the 
information  that  is  even  there  for  them.  They  are  statistics  that 
tell  us  that  we  have  in  some  parts  of  our  country  not  only  a  lack 
of  health  care  services,  but  no  health  care  services  at  all. 

This  is  the  greatest  country,  and  it  is  inexcusable  for  us  to  have 
health  care  in  the  State  in  which  we  presently  find  ourselves.  Dr. 
Elders  has  a  record,  Dr.  Elders  has  points  of  view,  she  has  specific 
proposals  with  regard  to  addressing  all  of  these  issues,  and  ad- 
dressing these  issues  in  an  honest  way.  And  it  seems  to  me  that 
in  light  of  her  qualifications  for  office,  in  light  of  the  fact  that  we 
have  such  a  crisis  in  this  country  now  in  our  public  health,  that 
we  would  do  ourselves  very  well  indeed  by  confirming  this  nomi- 
nee, giving  her  an  opportunity  to  take  on  the  challenge  of  being  the 
next  Surgeon  General  of  the  United  States. 

Sitting  here  and  listening  to  Senator  Boren,  I  couldn't  help  but 
think,  and  after  having  gone  through  what  was  not  an  undifficult 
week  in  the  Senate,  how  we  talk  an  awful  lot  in  Government  and 


21 

here  in  Washington  about  change,  and  if  anything,  change  has  be- 
come a  watchword  for  a  lot  of  different  things.  But  I  think  if  any- 
thing at  all,  I  perceive  almost  a  sea  change  in  our  politics,  and  that 
the  change  that  was  promised,  the  change  that  has  been  discussed, 
really  is  in  its  own  very  difficult  way — and  I  say  "difficult"  to  Dr. 
Elders  because  I  know  this  process  has  not  been  easy  for  her — but 
in  a  sometimes  difficult  and  painful  way,  that  change  really  is  hap- 
pening, and  it  is  happening  before  our  very  eyes.  And  it  may  some- 
times not  be  obvious  and  may  not  present  itself  right  away,  but  it 
is  happening,  and  it  is  happening  because  people  have  decided  to 
make  their  Government  responsive,  and  their  Government  is  re- 
sponding. 

As  Americans,  that  is  something  that  I  think  we  all  need  to  cele- 
brate, if  we  just  take  a  moment  to  recognize  that  it  is  going  on.  Dr. 
Elders  represents  the  kind  of  positive  change  that  we  need  to  rec- 
ognize, we  need  to  support,  we  need  to  celebrate  in  our  country, 
and  I  am  very  honored  to  be  a  part  of  this  nomination  process;  I 
am  very  honored  to  speak  in  behalf  of  her  nomination  and  to  en- 
courage the  members  of  the  committee  to  recognize  the  high  qual- 
ity and  caliber  of  this  nomination  and  of  this  nominee,  the  impor- 
tance and  significance  of  the  confirmation  vote  that  you  are  about 
to  undertake,  and  encourage  you  to  proceed  with  great  dispatch  to 
confirm  Joycelyn  Elders  as  the  next  Surgeon  General  of  the  United 
States. 

Thank  you. 

The  Chairman.  Thank  you  very  much,  Senator  Moseley-Braun. 
We  very  much  appreciate  your  presence  here  and  your  willingness 
to  share  those  comments  with  us.  We  are  grateful  to  you  for  taking 
the  time  to  be  here. 

Congress  woman  Lambert,  we  welcome  your  willingness  to  come 
over  here  and  share  your  thoughts  and  to  make  a  second  trip  as 
well.  We  are  delighted  to  hear  from  you. 

STATEMENT  OF  THE  HONORABLE  BLANCHE  M.  LAMBERT,  A 
U5.  REPRESENTATIVE  FROM  THE  STATE  OF  ARKANSAS 

Ms.  LAMBERT.  Thank  you,  Mr.  Chairman,  and  thank  you  to  the 
members  of  the  committee  for  allowing  me  to  cross  the  Capitol  and 
to  come  over  and  speak  in  support  of  my  friend,  Dr.  Joycelyn  El- 
ders. I  would  also  like  to  thank  the  chairman  for  his  diligence  in 
getting  through  with  this  hearing  and  getting  it  before  us  today. 

It  is  my  distinct  honor  to  be  here  today  to  introduce  to  you  Dr. 
Joycelyn  Elders,  President  Clinton's  nominee  for  U.S.  Surgeon  Gen- 
eral, and  I  do  believe  I  come  to  you  from  probably  a  different  ave- 
nue along  with  Senator  Pryor  and  Senator  Bumpers.  I  have  direct 
results  of  the  efforts  of  Dr.  Elders  in  my  district,  and  Fd  like  to  talk 
about  that  a  little  bit  today,  if  I  may.. 

I  would  like  to  ask  the  committee  here,  as  you  begin  our  Nation's 
quest  for  someone  who  can  tackle  our  health  care  woes,  I  would 
like  to  encourage  you  to  focus  on  confirming  a  physician  who  has 
produced  results. 

Back  in  Arkansas  where  Dr.  Elders  and  I  come  from,  my  father 
has  always  impressed  upon  me  that  hard  work  and  results  are 
what  count.  A  sixth-generation  farmer,  my  father  has  said  that 
theories  on  crop  disease  and  genetic  engineering  are  impressive, 


22 

but  if  you  don't  have  a  rice  crop  in  September  to  harvest,  you  really 
haven't  done  your  job  as  a  farmer. 

Likewise,  our  country  needs  someone  like  Dr.  Elders,  who  offers 
our  Nation  both  technical  theories  and  results.  I  would  like  to  point 
out  a  few  of  Dr.  Elders'  successes  for  which  we  in  Arkansas  are 
very  grateful. 

As  Arkansas'  director  of  the  department  of  health,  Dr.  Elders  led 
a  tireless  campaign  for  preventive  health  care,  which  we  all  know 
and  understand  is  the  key  to  healthy  people  and  a  sound  economy. 
A  true  believer  in  educating  folks  about  the  health  of  their  bodies 
and  their  minds,  Dr.  Elders  took  her  campaign  to  the  people, 
through  the  media  and  our  schools,  and  she  captured  my  deepest 
admiration  by  looking  for  resource  at  hand  and  utilizing  them, 
rather  than  seeking  to  create  new  programs  and  more  layers  of  bu- 
reaucracy. 

She  showed  the  many  support  agencies  how  to  dovetail  together; 
how  they  could  work  together  in  harmony  and  share  resources  to 
accomplish  even  more  results.  A  prime  example  of  this  can  be  seen 
in  Crittenden  County  in  my  district,  where  Dr.  Elders  encouraged 
groups  like  The  Children's  Advocacy,  the  East  Arkansas  Legal 
Services,  the  Families  First  Group,  the  Literacy  Council,  and  the 
county  health  department  to  share  information  and  resources.  This 
enhanced  their  services  and  enabled  them  to  reach  a  wider  array 
of  people.  It  also  fostered  the  attitude  that  a  healthy  mind  and 
body  should  go  together  to  create  a  healthy  contributor  to  society. 

Within  3  years,  Dr.  Elders  nearly  doubled  Arkansas'  immuniza- 
tion rate  for  2-year-olds,  from  34  percent  to  60  percent.  Her  innova- 
tive approach  included  encouraging  after-hours  clinics,  introducing 
simultaneous  injections,  and  guaranteeing  that  every  child  who  vis- 
ited a  health  clinic  received  the  shots  he  or  she  needed. 

Dr.  Elders  then  implemented  a  statewide  computerized  network, 
similar  to  the  model  being  proposed  on  the  national  level,  that 
tracks  children  for  age-appropriate  immunization  status.  Under  the 
direction  of  Dr.  Elders,  the  number  of  early  childhood  screenings 
grew  1,000  percent,  from  4,000  to  over  45,000.  These  screenings  in- 
cluded physical  exams,  vaccinations,  vision  and  hearing  screening, 
and  parental  education.  I  am  sure  you  have  all  talked  to  teachers 
who  have  told  you  that  correcting  a  youngster's  vision  and  hearing 
improves  his  or  her  classroom  participation  at  a  phenomenal  rate. 

Dr.  Elders  also  joined  First  Lady  Hillary  Rodham  Clinton  to  com- 
bat infant  mortality.  Together,  they  developed  the  Arkansas  Cam- 
paign for  Healthier  Babies.  Under  that  campaign,  the  maternity 
caseload  increased  17  percent  between  1990  and  1992,  and  that 
caseload  continues  to  rise  as  pregnant  women  get  the  prenatal  care 
that  they  need.  We  have  seen  that  an  increase  in  prenatal  care  pro- 
duces healthier,  happier  babies  and  costs  less  in  the  long  run. 

Dr.  Elders'  program  achieved  these  tremendous  results  by  in- 
creasing clinic  hours  again,  revising  the  health  education  classes, 
and  starting  a  toll-free  phone  number  for  women's  health  facts  and 
referrals. 

On  yet  another  preventive  health  care  front,  Dr.  Elders  expanded 
cancer  screening  services  for  women.  These  services  included  mam- 
mograms for  low-income  women,  Pap  smears  for  cervical  cancer 


23 

screening,  and  follow-up  for  cervical  cancer  screening  in  all  public 
health  clinics  in  Arkansas. 

To  fulfill  her  goal  of  educating  our  young  people  about  health, 
Dr.  Elders  instituted  school-based  clinics.  We  have  heard  a  little  bit 
about  those  already  and  the  ability  of  the  local  school  districts  and 
school  boards  to  maintain  what  was  to  be  provided.  The  news  from 
the  12  clinics  in  my  eastern  Arkansas  district  tell  a  success  story 
of  health  care  for  people  who  may  have  had  no  other  option.  Nurses 
at  the  clinic  have  told  me  they  see  students  with  concerns  ranging 
from  headaches  to  flu  symptoms  and  depression  to  thoughts  of  sui- 
cide. 

In  Forest  City  High  School  alone,  nurses  have  seen  50  students 
a  day.  Nurses  at  one  of  the  east  Arkansas  clinics,  in  a  town  that 
has  absolutely  no  other  health  care  facility,  discovered  a  heart 
murmur  when  giving  a  child  a  pre-sports  physical.  In  another  in- 
stance, they  noticed  a  red  streaked  cut  on  a  child's  arm  that  re- 
vealed blood  poisoning.  And  when  a  teacher  reported  that  a  student 
with  cerebral  palsy  was  acting  abnormally  in  class  and  had  not 
walked  in  months,  the  nurse  recognized  signs  of  a  brain  hemor- 
rhage. The  student  was  treated  and  is  now  walking  again. 

These  examples  represent  results.  By  promoting  these  school- 
based  clinics,  Dr.  Elders  has  brought  health  care  into  towns  that 
had  no  other  option,  and  by  bringing  clinics  to  the  schools,  she  has 
helped  to  educate  students  and  their  parents. 

In  Arkansas,  we  have  seen  the  health  benefits  of  preventive  care, 
and  we  know  there  are  financial  benefits  as  well.  We  know  that  for 
every  dollar  spent  on  preventive  health  care  through  immunization 
and  other  measures,  $10  is  saved  down  the  line.  In  Arkansas,  Dr. 
Elders  has  been  a  pioneer  in  proving  these  benefits  of  preventive 
health  care.  She  has  proven  that  an  investment  in  preventive  care 
provides  a  better  quality  of  life  as  well  as  a  better  family,  State 
and  Federal  health  care  budget 

In  closing,  let  me  reiterate  that  we  need  a  Surgeon  General  who, 
number  one,  recognizes  the  problems  in  our  society's  health;  sec- 
ond, sets  goals  to  fulfill  those  needs;  but  most  importantly,  number 
three,  she  gets  results.  We  must  have  a  result-oriented  physician 
at  the  forefront  of  our  Nation's  attempt  to  lower  health  care  costs 
through  preventive  medicine  and  education. 

I  offer  for  your  examination  additional  editorial  columns  from 
writers  in  my  region  who  have  endorsed  Dr.  Elders  based  on  the 
fact  that  they  have  seen  the  results  of  her  health  care  leadership. 

As  you  listen  to  the  testimony  of  those  who  are  assembled  before 
you,  please  keep  in  mind  that  hemorrhaging  child  that  I  mentioned 
earlier  whose  life  may  have  been  saved  by  a  school  nurse.  Please 
remember  that  our  State's  immunization  rate  nearly  doubled  under 
Dr.  Elders'  leadership.  Base  your  decision  on  your  own  health  care 
goals  for  our  Nation,  and  vote  to  confirm  a  woman  who  can  fulfill 
your  goals  and  the  goals  of  our  Nation. 

I  respectfully  encourage  each  of  you,  the  distinguished  members 
of  this  Senate  committee  and  the  rest  of  the  Senate,  to  speedily 
confirm  Dr.  Elders  and  let  her  begin  sharing  the  expertise  she  has 
developed  in  Arkansas  with  the  rest  of  the  Nation. 

I  thank  you  for  the  time  to  be  here. 


24 

The  Chairman.  Thank  you  very  much,  Congresswoman  Lambert. 
Those  were  enormously  useful  and  helpful  comments,  to  have  the 
kind  of  detailed  examination  of  what  a  nominee  has  done  in  a  prac- 
tical way  in  the  State.  Generally  speaking,  we  have  presenters  who 
talk  about  either  what  they  know  about  a  nominee  and  the  nomi- 
nee's positive  qualities  but  your  comments  and  explicit  details 
about  what  Dr.  Elders  has  meant  to  the  young  and  the  old  in  your 
district  are  very  welcome  commentary  and  very  helpful.  It  adds  ad- 
ditional credibility,  obviously,  to  the  nominee  when  she  talks  about 
these  matters  because  it  demonstrates  that  she  has  hands-on 
esperience  with  them. 

Ms.  Lambert.  Thank  you.  Results  do  truly  count. 

The  Chairman.  We  thank  you  very,  very  much.  We  appreciate 
your  appearance. 

As  I  mentioned  before,  the  way  we  intend  to  proceed  is  that  well 
have  15-minute  rounds,  and  colleagues  may  use  that  time  to  make 
a  comment.  I  will  make  a  brief  comment  and  then  go  to  question- 
ing, and  we'll  alternate  back  and  forth  between  Democrat  and  Re- 
publican, and  we'll  permit  those  who  have  not  had  a  round  to  have 
a  round  before  going  to  following  rounds.  Fll  instruct  staff  to  keep 
the  time. 

The  Surgeon  General  is  the  Nation's  chief  physician  and  one  of 
the  principal  leaders  in  the  important  effort  to  improve  the  quality 
of  care  for  all  American  people.  Few  positions  in  the  Government 
are  more  challenging;  few  offer  greater  opportunity  to  improve  the 
lives  of  so  many  Americans. 

Every  American  child  deserves  a  healthy  start  in  life,  but  too 
many  children  are  denied  that. 

Countless  older  Americans  also  find  themselves  without  the 
health  care  or  long-term  care  that  they  deserve.  Improving  wom- 
en's health  is  a  pressing  need.  Breast  cancer  strikes  one  in  eight 
American  women  at  some  point  in  their  lives,  but  far  too  lew 
women  receive  early  detection  and  treatment.  A  third  of  all  Amer- 
ican women  do  not  receive  the  basic  preventive  care  they  need.  And 
in  all  areas  of  health  care,  it  is  the  poor  and  minorities  who  suffer 
the  most. 

Self-inflicted  wounds  continue  to  plague  the  Nation.  Smoking, 
substance  abuse,  unhealthy  lifestyles  threaten  million  of  our  fellow 
citizens  and  cost  our  society  hundreds  of  billions  of  dollars  each 
year  in  health  costs  and  lost  productivity. 

These  challenges  are  extremely  difficult,  and  an  active,  commit- 
ted and  dedicated  Surgeon  General  can  make  a  significant  dif- 
ference. Dr.  Joycelyn  Elders  is  superbly  qualified  to  tackle  the  en- 
tire range  of  health  care  challenges,  especially  the  problems  faced 
by  the  Nation's  children. 

Dr.  Elders'  own  life  is  a  courageous  story  of  her  rise  from  poverty 
to  a  career  of  healing  and  serving  others.  In  her  years  at  the  Ar- 
kansas Department  of  Health,  she  almost  doubled  the  proportion 
of  children  receiving  timely  vaccinations.  She  launched  an  assault 
on  infant  mortality.  She  increased  by  10-fold  the  number  of  poor 
children  receiving  comprehensive  health  screenings.  She  dramati- 
cally expanded  cancer  detection  and  treatment  services  for  women. 
She  increased  home  care  opportunities  for  senior  citizens.  She  led 
a  crusade  against  the  blight  of  teenage  pregnancy.  Most  of  all,  she 


25 

waged  an  unceasing  battle  to  bring  good  health  care  to  all  the  chil- 
dren of  Arkansas. 

In  recent  weeks,  critics  have  come  forward  who  disagree  with  po- 
sitions she  has  taken.  They  have  also  circulated  allegations  regard- 
ing her  financial  and  business  practices.  Many  of  these  allegations 
have  already  been  answered,  and  I  know  she  is  fully  prepared  to 
address  all  of  them  today. 

Dr.  Elders  brings  a  record  of  accomplishment  and  commitment  to 
this  position  that  few  can  match.  I  look  forward  to  her  testimony 
today  and  to  her  prompt  confirmation.  She  is  superbly  qualified  to 
be  Surgeon  General,  and  the  administration  and  the  Nation  are 
fortunate  to  have  her  services. 

[The  prepared  statement  of  Senator  Kennedy  follows:] 

Prepared  Statement  of  Senator  Kennedy 

The  committee  meets  this  morning  to  consider  the  nomination  of 
Dr.  Joycelyn  Elders  of  Arkansas  to  be  Surgeon  General  of  the  Unit- 
ed States.  The  Surgeon  General  is  the  Nation's  chief  physician  and 
one  of  the  principal  leaders  in  the  important  effort  to  improve  the 
quality  of  health  care  for  all  the  American  people. 

Few  positions  in  the  Government  are  more  challenging,  and  few 
offer  a  greater  opportunity  to  improve  the  lives  of  so  many  Ameri- 
cans. Disease  knows  no  boundary  of  age,  race,  gender,  or  class. 

Every  American  child  deserves  a  healthy  start  in  life,  but  too 
many  children  are  denied  that.  Twenty  nations  have  a  better 
record  than  the  United  States  in  preventing  infant  mortality.  More 
than  half  of  all  American  children  do  not  even  receive  timely  basic 
childhood  immunizations. 

Too  many  children  are  denied  a  fair  chance  for  a  healthy,  fulfill- 
ing life.  Drugs,  crime,  and  violence  destroy  the  lives  and  shatter 
the  dreams  of  young  Americans.  The  epidemic  of  teen-age  preg- 
nancy blights  tne  hopes  and  the  future  of  hundreds  of  thousands 
of  children  every  year. 

Countless  olaer  Americans  also  find  themselves  without  the 
health  care  or  long  term  care  they  deserve.  Senior  citizens  are 
forced  into  nursing  nomes  because  the  care  that  would  enable  them 
to  remain  in  their  own  homes  is  not  available  or  accessible.  Too 
often,  for  Americans  of  all  ages,  the  lack  of  appropriate  medical 
care  and  the  lack  of  preventive  care  results  in  premature  death  or 
unnecessary  disability. 

Improving  women's  health  is  also  a  pressing  need.  Breast  cancer 
strikes  one  in  eight  American  women  at  some  point  in  their  lives, 
but  far  too  few  women  receive  early  detection  and  treatment.  A 
third  of  all  American  women  do  not  receive  the  basic  preventive 
care  they  need.  For  too  long,  medical  research  has  shortchanged 
them  by  failing  to  give  adequate  priority  to  women's  diseases,  and 
by  falsely  assuming  that  research  oh  other  diseases  conducted  on 
men  is  applicable  to  women. 

And  in  all  areas  of  health  care,  it  is  the  poor  and  minorities  who 
suffer  the  most. 

Epidemics  also  present  serious  health  care  challenges.  AIDS 
threatens  almost  every  American  family — and  the  only  cure  is  pre- 
vention. An  old  killer — tuberculosis — has  emerged  from  decades  of 
neglect  as  a  renewed  threat  to  public  health. 


26 

Self-inflicted  wounds  continue  to  plague  the  Nation.  Smoking, 
substance  abuse,  and  unhealthy  life-styles  threaten  millions  of  our 
fellow  citizens  and  cost  our  society  hundreds  of  billions  of  dollars 
each  year  in  health  costs  and  lost  productivity. 

These  challenges  are  extremely  difficult,  and  an  active,  commit- 
ted, and  dedicated  Surgeon  General  can  make  a  significant  dif- 
ference. In  the  lQetfs,  Surgeon  General  Luther  Terry  awakened  a 
generation  to  the  dangers  of  smoking.  In  the  1980's,  Surgeon  Gen- 
eral C.  Everett  Koop  educated  the  Nation  on  the  danger  of  AIDS. 
And  in  the  1990's,  Dr.  Joycelyn  Elders  is  superbly  qualified  to  tack- 
le the  entire  range  of  health  care  challenges — especially  the  prob- 
lems faced  by  the  Nation's  children. 

Dr.  Elders'  own  life  is  a  courageous  story  of  her  rise  from  poverty 
to  a  career  of  healing  and  serving  others.  As  a  pediatric 
endocrinologist  and  professor  at  the  University  of  Arkansas  Medi- 
cal School,  she  was  a  respected  clinician  and  medical  researcher, 
with  more  than  150  published  scientific  papers  to  her  credit.  In  6 
years  as  the  leader  of  the  Arkansas  Department  of  Health,  she 
earned  a  national  reputation  as  a  public  health  leader  with  an  ex- 
cellent record  of  accomplishment. 

In  her  years  at  the  Arkansas  Department  of  Health,  she  almost 
doubled  the  proportion  of  children  receiving  timely  vaccinations. 
She  launched  an  assault  on  infant  mortality.  She  increased  by  ten- 
fold the  number  of  poor  children  receiving  comprehensive  health 
screenings.  She  dramatically  expanded  cancer  detection  and  treat- 
ment services  for  women.  She  increased  home  care  opportunities 
for  senior  citizens.  She  led  a  crusade  against  the  blight  of  teenage 
pregnancy.  Most  of  all,  she  waged  an  unceasing  battle  to  bring 
good  health  care  to  all  the  children  of  Arkansas. 

Because  of  her  outstanding  contributions  to  the  health  of  the  peo- 
ple of  Arkansas,  Dr.  Elders  has  been  honored  by  the  American 
Medical  Association,  the  National  Governors  Association,  the  Na- 
tional Education  Association,  and  many  other  organizations.  She 
has  received  honorary  degrees  from  seven  universities.  She  has 
been  chosen  by  her  peers— chief  health  officers  throughout  the 
country — to  be  the  president  of  the  Association  of  State  and  Terri- 
torial Health  Officers. 

I  am  including  in  the  record  the  list  of  organizations  endorsing 
Dr.  Elders  and  a  sample  of  the  letters  of  support. 

In  recent  weeks,  critics  have  come  forward  who  disagree  with  po- 
sitions she  has  taken.  They  have  also  circulated  allegations  regard- 
ing her  financial  and  business  practices.  Many  of  the  allegations 
have  already  been  answered,  and  I  know  she  is  fully  prepared  to 
address  them  today. 

Dr.  Elders  brings  a  record  of  accomplishment  and  commitment  to 
this  position  that  few  can  match.  I  look  forward  to  her  testimony 
today  and  to  her  prompt  confirmation.  She  is  superbly  qualified  to 
be  Surgeon  General,  and  the  administration  and  the  Nation  are 
fortunate  to  have  her  services. 

Senator  Kassebaum.  Mr.  Chairman,  could  I  interrupt  for  just  a 
moment,  please? 

The  Chairman.  Yes. 


27 

Senator  Kassebaum.  Senator  Jeffords  has  to  leave  in  about  10 
minutes  to  catch  a  plane.  Would  you  mind  yielding  to  him  to  make 
some  comments  before  he  leaves? 

The  Chairman.  I'd  be  delighted  to  yield. 

Senator  Jeffords.  Thank  you,  Mr.  Chairman. 

First  of  all,  Dr.  Elders,  it  is  good  to  be  with  you  again.  I  had  a 
very  excellent  conversation  with  you  last  week.  I  did  join  Senator 
Kassebaum  in  asking  that  this  hearing  be  deferred  so  that  we 
hopefiilly  would  have  sufficient  information  to  relieve  us  of  the  bur- 
den of  examining  some  of  the  charges  on  ethics  and  other  matters. 

I  have  reviewed  the  information  which  has  been  provided  to  me, 
and  I  find  that  I  am  satisfied  that  the  only  questions  remaining  are 
of  competence  for  service  rather  than  ethical  or  legal  questions.  In 
fact,  I  have  no  doubt  about  your  competence  at  tnis  time,  either, 
and  I  am  pleased  to  mention  that. 

I  would  like  to  ask,  though,  a  couple  of  questions  in  rather  sen- 
sitive and  critical  areas  for  which  you  have  received  criticism.  First 
of  all,  the  question  as  to  the  effectiveness  of  your  work  with  respect 
to  teenage  pregnancies.  We  have  received  facts  and  information  in- 
dicating that  notwithstanding  your  efforts,  there  was  an  increase 
in  teenage  pregnancies,  therefore  raising  questions  as  to  the  credi- 
bility of  the  claims  made  by  your  supporters  that  you  have  an  effec- 
tive program  in  teenage  pregnancy. 

Would  you  respond  to  that,  please? 

Dr.  Elders.  Yes,  sir.  Thank  you,  Senator  Jeffords.  I  would  like 
to  respond  to  that.  I,  like  probably  most  people  in  America,  we  are 
all  ashamed  that  the  United  States  has  the  highest  teenage  preg- 
nancy rate  in  the  industrialized  world.  And  I  am  not  very  proud 
that  Arkansas  has  the  second  highest  in  the  United  States. 

Since  I  have  been  health  director,  we  have  seen  the  teenage 
pregnancy  rate  rise  18  percent  in  the  United  States.  In  Arkansas, 
it  has  risen  at  almost  the  same  rate;  in  Arkansas,  it  has  risen 
about  17  percent.  If  you  look  at  our  15-  to  17-year-olds,  it  has  in- 
creased 11  percent  over  the  2  years  that  it  was  looked  at,  and  it 
increased  in  the  United  States  approximately  18  percent. 

I  am  not  bragging.  I  am  not  proud  about  that.  You  see,  we  have 
not  had  in  Arkansas  a  comprehensive  health  education  program 
from  kindergarten  through  12th  grade.  We  would  have  to  start  it, 
and  it  would  take,  I  think,  12  years  to  really  say  that  we  had  true 
results. 

We  have  24  school-based  clinics  in  Arkansas.  We  have  1,200 
school  districts.  And  if  everyone's  record  were  perfect,  I  suspect  it 
would  not  make  an  impact. 

In  one  of  the  schools  where  we  had  a  39  percent  pregnancy  rate, 
I  want  you  to  know  in  that  school,  this  was  initiated  by  die  presi- 
dent of  the  school  board,  who  is  a  banker's  wife.  They  have  a 
school-based  clinic,  and  it  is  one  of  the  clinics  that  dispenses  con- 
traceptives. They  nave  one  of  the  lowest  teenage  pregnancy  rates 
in  any  of  the  counties  around.  That  was  a  northwest  Arkansas,  pre- 
dominantly white,  district. 

We  received  a  Federal  grant,  and  it  was  called  "Better  Health  for 
Rural  Teens,'  1997-plus  percent  black,  90-plus  percent  of  the  teen- 
agers were  on  free  lunch,  so  obviously,  low  income  levels.  Senator, 
we  were  very  proud  that  in  3  years,  we  went  from  a  57  percent 


28 

teenage  pregnancy  rate  to  the  fact  that  in  3  years  in  this  school, 
they  did  not  have  a  pregnancy,  they  did  not  have  an  abortion,  and 
they  did  not  have  a  dropout. 

So  in  that  sense — but  you  know,  we  are  talking  about  isolated 
schools  now — but  as  I  said,  it  is  very  difficult  for  24  schools  to  im- 
pact the  statistics  of  a  whole  State.  So  I  am  not  proud  of  my  record, 
but  I  do  feel  that  I  have  increased  the  awareness  of  the  citizens  of 
Arkansas.  I  feel  they  are  committed  to  working  with  their  children, 
and  I  feel  that  in  that  community  that  I  talked  about,  there  was 
a  commitment  from  the  church,  there  was  a  commitment  from  the 
school,  there  was  a  commitment  from  the  health  department,  and 
there  was  a  commitment  to  make  a  difference  for  their  children. 
That  is  why  I  feel  that  we  have  to  have  commitment  from  every- 
body in  the  community.  The  magic  is  not  the  clinic.  In  that  clinic, 
we  probably  have  one  of  the  best  school  health  nurses  in  this  coun- 
try, as  far  as  I  am  concerned — she  is  certainly  one  of  the  best  in 
Arkansas — and  she  has  been  here  to  testify,  and  she  is  just  won- 
derful. But  it  is  that  kind  of  a  relationship  that  must  be  developed 
with  our  children.  The  magic  is  not  putting  a  building  up  over 
there  and  saying  there  is  the  clinic.  The  magic  is  for  all  of  us  to 
make  a  commitment  to  the  most  valuable  resource  we'll  ever 
have — our  children. 

Senator  Jeffords.  Thank  you.  That  is  an  excellent  response. 

I  would  now  like  to  ask  you  about  another  very  controversial 
statement  which  you  made  in  this  same  area.  I  come  from  a  rural 
State,  and  we  do  not  see  many  of  the  problems  which  are  seen  else- 
where in  this  country.  But  I  did  serve  as  a  shore  patrol  officer  in 
the  Navy  and  also  as  a  part  of  congressional  hearings  on  teenage 
prostitution  in  Los  Angeles,  and  thus  I  am  a  little  less  shocked  at 
what  goes  in  this  country  than  some  of  my  people  at  home. 

This  has  to  do  with  the  utilization  of  the  Norplant  contraceptive 
with  respect  to  the  prostitutes.  It  obviously  is  an  extremely  sen- 
sitive area  because  of  its  relationship  to  abortion,  but  if  you  could 
explain  so  that  someone  in  Vermont  might  understand,  why  you 
would  feel  it  necessary  to  utilize  the  Norplant  for  prostitutes  who 
are  drug  addicts,  and  why  that  versus  teaching  safe  sex  and  those 
kinds  of  things  are  not  possible. 

Dr.  Elders.  Yes,  Senator.  Thanks  for  asking  me  that.  I  was 
asked  on  a  TV  show  would  I  support  Norplant  for  a  drug-abusing 
woman,  someone  who  was  drug-addicted  and  was  a  prostitute.  And 
my  answer  was  that  I  would  very  much  support  Norplant  for  that 
woman  so  that  she  would  not  become  pregnant  and  have  a  drug- 
addicted  baby. 

And  Senator,  obviously  what  I  would  most  like  is  one,  that  she 
not  be  addicted;  second,  I  would  certainly  like  for  her  not  to  have 
to  use  sex  to  get  money  to  buy  drugs.  I  would  like  for  us  to  have 
treatment  centers  for  these  women.  But  sometimes  we  don't  have 
that.  We  do  have  the  availability  of  Norplant,  but  many  of  these 
women,  Senator,  cannot  afford  Norplant.  So  what  we  do  is  we  don't 
offer  them  Norplant;  they  get  pregnant,  they  have  another  baby 
that  is  often  drug-addicted  and  many  times,  premature.  And  I  feel 
that  if  we  could  have  made  available  all  the  services  that  we  had, 
we  could  give  her  an  opportunity  to  get  into  treatment,  to  get 


29 

cured,  and  then  I  would  like  for  her  to  have  as  many  babies  as  she 
would  like. 

Senator  Jeffords.  Thank  you. 

Thank  you,  Mr.  Chairman. 

The  Chairman.  Thank  you  very  much,  Senator  Jeffords.  We  ap- 
preciate your  questions. 

Senator  Kassebaum  and  I  submitted  questions  to  Dr.  Elders  per- 
taining to  her  tenure  as  director  of  the  board  of  the  National  Bank 
of  Arkansas,  and  she  has  responded.  And,  Dr.  Elders,  at  least  I  am 
going  to  get  into  the  four  or  five  areas  that  have  been  raised  since 
the  time  of  your  nomination,  and  then  go  back  to  some  of  the  public 
health  issues,  which  I  am  most  eager  to  hear  you  out  further  on. 

Dr.  Elders  has  responded  in  writing  to  those  questions.  In  addi- 
tion, the  FBI  was  directed  to  conduct  an  independent  review  of  the 
relevant  Comptroller  of  the  Currency  documents,  which  are  not 
publicly  available.  Senator  Kassebaum  and  I  have  been  briefed  by 
the  FBI,  and  after  careful  review  of  the  matter,  Senator  Kasse- 
baum and  I  believe  that  Dr.  Elders'  answers  are  truthful,  and  that 
they  accurately  reflect  the  findings  of  the  FBI.  Senator  Kassebaum 
and  I  would  like  to  emphasize  that  we  have  checked  with  the  FBI 
and  the  Office  of  the  Comptroller  of  the  Currency,  and  we  can  con- 
firm that  Dr.  Elders  is  not  the  target  of  any  further  investigation. 

Now  I'd  like  to  go  through  these  questions.  You  have  written  to 
myself  and  Senator  Kassebaum,  with  responses  to  our  questions, 
and  we  will  make  the  letter  part  of  the  record,  but  I  think  it  is  im- 
portant to  hear  you  out  on  those  particular  questions. 

[The  letter  referred  to  may  be  found  in  the  appendix.] 

The  Chairman.  Question  number  one:  Was  the  National  Bank  of 
Arkansas,  NBA,  ever  subject  to  a  formal  enforcement  action  under 
12  U.S.C.,  Section  1818? 

Dr.  ELDERS.  The  National  Bank  of  Arkansas  was  subject  to  a  for- 
mal enforcement  action  under  12  U.S.C.,  Section  1818,  in  the  form 
of  a  formal  written  agreement  between  the  Comptroller  of  the  Cur- 
rency and  the  board  of  directors  of  the  bank. 

The  Chairman.  Did  an  officer  of  the  Comptroller  of  the  Currency 
in  the  OCC  examination  report  find  that  any  directors  of  NBA  en- 
gaged in  practices  that  violated  national  banking  laws  regarding  ei- 
ther safety  and  soundness,  or  criminal  activity? 

Dr.  Elders.  I  was  briefed  at  board  meetings  on  the  content  of 
examinations  reported  by  the  OCC  and  the  president  of  the  board. 
I  was  advised  that  all  directors  were  cited  in  the  examination  re- 
port as  having  violated  national  banking  laws  and  safety  and 
soundness  laws  relating  to  their  failure  to  supervise  bank  manage- 
ment I  was  advised  that  the  examination  report  did  not  find  their 
activities  to  be  criminal. 

The  Chairman.  Did  any  of  the  directors  of  NBA,  including  your- 
self, receive  letters  of  reprimand  from  the  OCC? 

Dr.  Elders.  I  received  a  letter  of  reprimand  solely  in  my  capacity 
as  a  member  of  the  board  of  directors  of  the  NBA.  I  believe  that 
Other  directors  who  served  on  the  board  also  received  letters  of  rep- 
rimand. 

The  Chairman.  Well,  that  is  my  understanding  that  all  the  other 
members  did.  Now,  I  also  understand,  Dr.  Elders,  that  there  was 
some  consideration  of  assessing  civil  penalties  against  the  board  of 


30 

directors'  members  by  the  Comptroller  of  the  Currency.  However, 
it  is  clear  that  the  final  decision  was.  merely  to  give  the  directors 
a  warning  in  the  form  of  a  reprimand  and  impose  no  civil  fines. 

I  just  want  to  make  the  point  that  the  decision  to  impose  only 
a  reprimand  was  made  by  a  committee  of  senior  bank  supervision 
personnel  who  were  all  career  employees  of  OCC;  that  the  commit- 
tee made  a  recommendation  which  resulted  in  a  letter  sent  by  the 
director  of  bank  supervision,  himself  a  career  employee  of  the  OCC. 
The  decision  was  made  prior  to  the  installation  of  the  new  Comp- 
troller of  the  Currency  under  the  Clinton  administration.  Is  that 
your  understanding? 

Dr.  Eldebs.  Yes,  that  is  my  understanding. 

The  Chairman.  Was  any  of  your  conduct  cited  specifically  in  any 
examination  report? 

Dr.  Elders.  I  believe  that  no  conduct  in  which  I  personally  en- 
gaged was  ever  cited  specifically  in  any  examination  report. 

The  Chairman.  And  were  the  directors  ever  informed  by  examin- 
ers that  the  bank  management  was  engaging  or  had  engaged  in 
unsafe  and  unsound  banking  activities  or  violations  of  national 
banking  laws? 

Dr.  ELDERS.  As  a  result  of  the  examination  report,  board  direc- 
tors were  informed  that  bank  management  had  engaged  in  unsafe 
and  unsound  banking  practices  which  were  in  violation  of  national 
banking  law. 

The  Chairman.  And  did  the  directors  take  action  to  reasonably 
ensure  the  activities  cited  in  the  OCC  reports  would  not  continue? 

Dr.  Elders.  I  believe  that  although  the  examiners  acknowledged 
that  remedial  actions  were  taken,  the  examiners  did  not  view  those 
actions  as  sufficient  to  correct  activities  of  bank  management.  Thus 
a  letter  of  reprimand  was  issued  by  the  OCC  to  me  and  other  direc- 
tors. 

The  Chairman.  Are  you  the  target  of  any  further  investigation? 

Dr.  Elders.  I  believe  that  I  am  not  the  target  of  any  further  in- 
vestigation. 

The  Chairman.  We  have  made  independent  inquiry,  and  you  are 
not  a  target. 

Did  the  board  grant  each  director  a  $200,000  extension  of  credit? 

Dr.  Elders.  The  minutes  of  the  board  of  directors'  meeting  indi- 
cated that  the  directors  were  given  an  extension  of  credit  up  to 
$230,000.  This  extension  of  credit  was  not  construed  by  me  as  auto- 
matic loan  approval  in  that  each  loan  was  subject  to  the  usual 
banking  policies  and  procedures  applied  for  by  anyone  else.  I  ab- 
stained from  the  board  vote  granting  me  the  extension  of  credit. 

The  Chadjman.  So  you  did  take  advantage  of  it.  but  as  I  under- 
stand from  your  answer,  the  requirements  tor  the  loan  were  the  ex- 
isting procedures  and  practices  that  existed  in  the  bank? 

Dr.  Elders.  That  is  correct,  Senator.  As  I  understood  it,  even 
now,  rather  than  an  extension  of  credit,  we  thought  it  was  a  lend- 
ing cap  over  which  no  director  could  borrow  more  than  that  be- 
cause of  the  size  of  our  bank,  and  if  we  were  ever  to  have  a  loan, 
it  had  to  be  subject  to  the  same  scrutiny,  probably  even  more  scru- 
tiny, than  anyone  else. 

The  Chad*man.  If  the  directors  received  such  an  extension  of 
credit,  was  this  decision  ever  cited  or  criticized  by  bank  examiners? 


31 

Dr.  Elders.  No,  sir. 

The  Chairman.  Did  you  ever  borrow  money  from  the  NBA  during 
the  time  you  were  a  member  of  the  board? 

Dr.  Elders.  Yes,  sir. 

The  Chairman.  What  was  the  purpose  of  such  loans? 

Dr.  Elders.  I  borrowed  from  the  bank  on  various  occasions 
under  terms  and  conditions  available  to  all  borrowers.  The  purpose 
of  the  loans  was  primarily  for  commercial  ventures,  including  the 
purchase  of  real  estate. 

The  Chairman.  Did  you  ever  borrow  any  money  from  the  bank 
at  preferential  rates  not  offered  to  other  borrowers  during  the  time 
you  were  a  member  of  the  board? 

Dr.  Elders.  No,  sir. 

The  Chairman.  Did  you  recuse  yourself  from  discussion  or  ap- 
proval by  the  board  of  any  loan  that  you  had  requested? 

Dr.  Elders.  I  recused  myself  from  voting  on  the  extension  of 
credit  by  the  other  members  of  the  board  of  directors  to  myself. 

The  Chadjman.  Does  the  Comptroller  of  the  Currency  have  to  ap- 
prove or  sign  off  on  any  settlement  agreement  involving  litigation 
alleging  allegations  of  Federal  banking  laws? 

Dr.  Elders.  Not  to  my  knowledge,  no. 

The  CHAIRMAN.  OK.  My  time  has  expired.  In  the  next  round,  I 
will  go  into  both  the  Social  Security  issues  and  the  "double-dip"  sal- 
ary issues  in  some  detail.  Maybe  there  are  members  who  want  to 
ask  some  questions  about  that 

Senator  Dodd.  Mr.  Chairman,  how  long  would  that  take?  How 
much  time  are  you  talking  about? 

The  Chairman.  Probably  another  15  minutes. 

Senator  Dodd.  Well,  I  would  recommend,  unless  my  colleagues 
object,  that  you  go  through  the  questions  now.  The  questions  have 
been  raised.  I  mink  going  through  them  is  worthwhile,  and  it 
should  be  done  with  some  sort  of  continuity. 

Senator  Wellstone.  Mr.  Chairman. 

The  Chadiman.  Senator  Wellstone. 

Senator  Wellstone.  I  think  that  certainly  makes  sense  to  me. 
I  would  like  to  say  that  I  have  to  leave  a  little  earlier  this  after- 
noon because  of  the  crop  damage  in  Minnesota,  but  it  would  be  fine 
with  me  if  you  went  on  with  those  questions. 

Senator  Kassebaum.  Well,  Mr.  Chairman,  let  me  say — and  I 
think  Senator  Durenberger  has  some  of  the  same  problems,  and  he 
will  have  to  leave — I  would  suggest  that  some  of  us  can  stay  later, 
and  we  can  go  back  through  those  questions. 

Senator  Mikulski.  I  volunteer  to  stay  later. 

Senator  Kassebaum.  And  111  be  here  later. 

The  Chadiman.  Td  be  glad,  therefore,  at  least  with  the  under- 
standing on  this  side,  that  when  the  time  comes  back  to  this  side, 
if  you  want  to  yield,  Fll  just  finish  those  particular  items,  and  then 
when  that  time  is  expired,  return  to  the  other  side. 

Senator  Kassebaum.  So  you  are  going  on  now? 

The  Chairman.  No.  I  am  going  to  recognize  you  for  15  minutes, 
and  then  when  you  have  concluded,  111  take  15  minutes  over  here 
and  continue  on  these  issues.  Generally  speaking,  what  we  have 
done  in  the  past  is,  on  those  matters  which  are  of  general  interest 
to  both  the  Republicans  and  the  Democrats,  go  through  those  mat- 


32. 

ters  in  some  detail  first  and  then  divide  up  the  time  in  terms  of 
the  policy  questions.  But  we  want  to  try  to  be  scrupulously  bal- 
anced to  the  extent  that  we  can  in  the  remainder  of  these  matters. 

So  I  now  recognize  Senator  Kassebaum. 

Senator  Kassebaum.  Thank  you,  Mr.  Chairman. 

Dr.  Elders,  welcome.  As  Surgeon  General,  the  role  really  calls  for 
the  Surgeon  General  to  be  the  recognized  spokesman  for  the  Na- 
tion's health  and  to  put  forward  an  agenda  for  the  public  on  the 
priorities  of  health  care  and  public  health.  In  many  ways,  you  are 
the  Nation's  top  doctor. 

I  would  suggest  that  it  calls  forth  for  you  an  opportunity  to  ad- 
dress those  issues  that  you  have  already  spoken  to  that  you  be- 
lieve— and  I  think  we  would  all  believe — have  great  importance. 
Also,  I  think  it  requires  a  responsibility  to  bring  a  consensus  of 
support  together  for  those  initiatives  in  addressing  the  concerns 
that  you  would  have  as  the  Surgeon  General. 

Certainly,  as  has  been  mentioned,  your  dedication  and  your  per- 
severance in  obtaining  an  education  and  all  that  you  strived  to  get 
that,  keeping  that  goal  in  sight,  must  be  an  inspiring  lesson  to  all 
students.  I  think  that  is  something  that  is  important  to  young  peo- 
ple today,  to  recognize  that  goals  can  be  achieved  and  that  it  does 
require  a  certain  amount  or  dedication  and  perseverance  on  the 
part  of  everyone. 

I  would  like  to  explore  some  questions  with  you,  but  first  just  to 
ask — as  Senator  Jeffords  asked — about  the  teenage  pregnancy  rate 
in  Arkansas.  I  think  we  are  all  concerned  about  the  tragedy  of 
teenage  pregnancy,  younger  people  and  their  health,  and  the  pov- 
erty and  lack  of  education  that  go  with  thatr— but  you  and  I  are 
about  the  same  age.  We  were  in  nigh  school  in  the  forties,  and  it 
was  not  a  major  issue  then.  I,  frankly,  would  never  have  thought 
of  anyone  discussing  condoms  in  the  high  school.  It  would  have 
been  beyond  my  imagining  and  my  parents'. 

What  do  you  think  has  caused  the  difference  today? 

Dr.  Elders.  Senator,  I  think  there  are  perhaps  several  factors 
that  have  influenced  the  difference.  First  of  all,  teenage  pregnancy 
has  really  been  with  us  forever 

Senator  Kassebaum.  But  not  in  any  way  in  the  numbers  that  it 
is  today. 

Dr.  Elders.  Well,  one  of  the  things  is  that  there  were  more  teen- 
age marriages  years  ago,  so  there  were  fewer  unmarried — they 
were  just  far  more  likely  to  get  married.  So  that  is  one  thing. 

The  other  thing,  Senator,  is  that  children  are  going  into  puberty 
earlier.  The  average  age  of  puberty,  let's  say,  years  ago,  was  17; 
100  years  ago,  it  was  17  years.  And  it  has  been  dropping  about  4 
months  every  10  years. 

Another  factor  that  I  feel  has  influenced  teenage  pregnancy.  Sen- 
ator, is  television.  Everything  is  on  television.  The  other  thing  is 
that  there  are  more  women  who  work.  We  think  that  approxi- 
mately 70  percent  of  our  teenage  pregnancies  occur  between  3  and 
5  in  the  afternoon  after  our  children  have  gotten  home. 

So  I  feel  that  all  of  those  are  factors  which  are  contributing.  The 
other  thing  that  is  a  problem  is  that  our  children  are  growing  poor- 
er, and  we  know  that  children  who  are  poor  are  three  times  more 
likely  to  become  teenage  parents.  In  the  1970's,  one  in  seven  of  our 


33 

children  was  poor,  and  we  know  now  it  is  one  in  five.  And  in  the 
South,  Senator,  it  is  one  in  four.  And  when  we  look  at  our  minority 
children,  it  is  one  in  two.  So  that  is  a  real  problem. 

Senator  Kassebaum.  It  is  a  real  problem.  I  know  that.  I  was  just 
curious  from  the  experiences  in  the  time  frame  in  which  we  grew 
up,  because  my  guess  is  that  also,  your  family,  your  parents  were 
making  sure  that  you  were  either  working  or  going  to  school. 

Dr.  Elders.  Well,  Senator,  we  had  no  choice. 

Senator  Kassebaum.  Well,  but  that's  a  major  difference  today, 
don't  you  agree? 

Dr.  Elders.  Oh,  yes;  oh,  yes,  ma'am.  I  do  not  disagree  with  that. 
Our  children  had  jobs.  We  were  busy.  We  were  involved  in  many 
other  things.  This  is  why  I  feel  that  we  have  got  to  start  looking 
at  ways  to  involve  our  young  people,  our  youth,  in  activities  to  get 
them  off  the  street  so  that  they  are  not  doing  other  things.  We  are 
kind  of  leaving  them  out  there  for  the  drug  kingpins,  and  to  get 
involved  with  alcohol  and  many  other  things,  and  it  is  very  fright- 
ening to  me  for  our  bright  young  people  in  Arkansas,  Senator — in 
this  whole  country.  But  I  see  them. 

Senator  Kassebaum.  Is  it  true  that — I  have  understood  that  the 
role,  perhaps,  for  the  Surgeon  General  may  be  changed,  and  that 
there  is  going  to  be  a  coordination  of  activities  across  the  entire 
Public  Health  Service?  In  your  role,  will  you  also  try  to  prevent  un- 
necessary duplication  of  efforts  across  the  Public  Health  Service? 

Dr.  ELDERS.  I  certainly  will,  Senator.  I  think  that  what  we  are 
going  to  try  and  do  is  all  work  together  to  try  to  stop  having  our 
programs  being  quite  so  fragmented  and  really  try  to  build  pro- 
grams around  people,  rather  than  having  people  circling  the  wag- 
ons trying  to  find  us. 

Senator  Kassebaum.  Will  you  be  reporting  to  Dr.  Lee  or  Sec- 
retary Shalala? 

Dr.  Elders.  Yes,  ma'am,  to  both,  to  Dr.  Lee  and  to  Dr.  Shalala. 

Senator  Kassebaum  I  would  like  to  ask  a  question  that  has 
come  up  about  the  Mercy  Nursing  Home.  Your  financial  disclosure 
form  in  1989  for  the  State  of  Arkansas  indicated  you  had  a  finan- 
cial interest  of  between  $1,000  and  $12,500  in  the  Mercy  Nursing 
Home,  which  is  located  in  North  Little  Rock.  Could  you  explain 
precisely  what  the  nature  of  this  interest  was? 

Dr.  Elders.  Senator,  the  owner  of  Mercy  Nursing  Home,  I  lived 
with  her  mother,  and  I  had  known  the  family,  and  I  worked  at  that 
nursing  home  when  I  was  a  student.  I  had  no  financial  interest.  I 
think  on  that  form,  what  you  have  to  say  is  if  you  received — it  real- 
ly relates  to  money — if  you  received  more  than  $1,000,  so  that 
block  that  was  checked  was  more  than  $1,000.  And  then  the  other 
thing,  it  was  more  than  $12,000.  So  that  really,  I  have  no  financial 
interest  in  Mercy  Nursing  Home.  _Mercy  Nursing  Home  is  now 
closed.  It  was  sold  to  others  in,  I  think,  probably  the  end  of  1989. 
So  I  was  the  medical  director;  I  worked  there  for  the  woman,  and 
I  lived  with  her  mother.  They  had  been  friends  all  my  life.  So  it 
was  more  to  appease  them,  and  I  was  really  there  for  approxi- 
mately an  hour  on  Saturdays. 

Senator  Kassebaum.  And  you  say  you  lived  with  the  mother  of 
the  owner? 

Dr.  Elders.  When  I  went  to  college,  for  a  year,  yes,  ma'am. 


34 

Senator  Kassebaum.  Did  you  feel  that  having  an  interest  in  the 
nursing  home  was  in  any  way  a  conflict  of  interest  with  your  role 
as  the  director  of  public  health? 

Dr.  Elders.  No.  The  health  department  had  no  relationship  to 
nursing  homes  in  Arkansas.  We  do  not  approve  them,  we  do  not 
inspect  them,  and  neither  Medicare  nor  Medicaid  is  in  the  health 
department.  So  as  I  said,  it  was  not  a  financial  interest.  It  was 
payment  for  services,  $4,800  for  the  year.  It  was  approximately 
$100  an  hour. 

The  Chairman.  Would  the  Senator  yield  on  that  point? 

Senator  Kassebaum.  Yes. 

The  Chairman.  Who  does  have  responsibility?  As  I  understand, 
it  is  the  Department  of  Human  Services  and  the  Attorney  General? 

Dr.  Elders.  Yes,  sir. 

The  Chairman.  Could  you  tell  us  who  has  the  responsibility? 

Dr.  Elders.  The  overseer  of  the  nursing  homes  is  the  Depart- 
ment of  Health  and  Human  Services.  They  ao  all  of  the  inspections, 
and  of  course,  the  Attorney  General,  any  time  there  is  something 
found  wrong  or  illegal  or  anything,  the  Attorney  General  is  in- 
volved. But  the  responsibility  is  really  with  the  Department  of 
Human  Services,  not  with  the  Department  of  Health. 

Senator  Kassebaum.  Dr.  Elders,  I  would  like  to  skip  back  to  the 
health  aspect.  I  know  it  may  seem  as  if  it  is  nitpicking  sometimes 
to  go  at  these  questions  regarding  financial  interests  and  so  forth, 
but  on  the  other  hand,  this  happens  to  all  nominees,  and  I  think 
it  is  absolutely  essential  that  the  record  be  perfectly  clear. 

On  the  school-based  health  clinics,  you  nave  spoken  about  the 
importance  of  those  and  that  they  are  determined,  based  on  local 
school  districts  and  local  school  boards.  Now,  is  the  decision  wheth- 
er to  have  them  or  not  made  by  the  local  school  district? 

Dr.  Elders.  That's  correct. 

Senator  Kassebaum.  And  then  the  State  of  Arkansas  provides 
the  funding  for  those,  of  course,  if  the  school  board  decides? 

Dr.  Elders.  That's  correct— the  State  of  Arkansas,  primarily 
through  the  Department  of  Health.  We  used  some  maternal  and 
child  health  funds,  other  Federal  funds,  State  funds,  with  the  feel- 
ing that  they  were  really  satellites  of  health  departments,  so  we 
could  provide  similar  services  in  the  school-based  clinics  that  were 
provided  in  health  departments,  but  the  rules  were  different. 

Senator  Kassebaum.  Would  you  advocate  a  Federal  role  in 
school-based  clinics? 

Dr.  Elders.  Senator,  I  feel  so  strongly  about  the  involvement  of 
the  community,  and  I  feel  that  the  community  needs  to  make  a 
commitment  for  the  bright  young  people.  And  because  of  that,  I  feel 
that  if  funds  were  available,  and  schools  applied — let  me  tell  you 
how  we  got  started. 

What  we  did  was  we  said  we  could  afford  to  fund  10  school-based 
clinics.  Out  of  those  10  school-based  clinics,  we  said  the  first  10 
schools  that  applied  and  completed  all  of  the  applications  to  get 
one,  based  on  need,  would  be  funded.  And  we  considered  the  num- 
ber of  children  who  were  on  free  lunch,  the  number  of  dropouts — 
the  kinds  of  things  that  schools  had.  We  didn't  want  them  running 
around  trying  to  find  a  lot  of  different  kinds  of  things,  like  the 
number  of  children  that  they  may  have  involved  with  drugs.  Obvi- 


35 

ously,  we  wanted  it  to  be  in  the  areas  of  greatest  need.  Then,  that 
school  board  had  to  have  a  meeting  and  pass  a  resolution — and  this 
was  before  thev  could  even  apply — pass  a  resolution  that  they 
wanted  a  school-based  clinic.  It  had  to  be  an  open  meeting,  and  it 
had  to  be  advertised  in  advance. 

Following  that,  the  school  board  then  could  decide — let's  say  the 
resolution  was  passed— then  the  school  board  would  decide  what 
they  wanted  in  their  clinic.  And  as  you  can  see,  if  we  have  24  clin- 
ics, and  only  four  of  them  have  reproductive  nealth,  you  can  see 
that  that  was  a  frequent  thing  that  they  did  not  want  to  do — but 
that  was  fine;  that  was  what  they  decided. 

But  then  let's  say  for  the  schools  that  have  reproductive  health, 
you  as  a  parent  could  say,  "I  don't  want  my  child  to  even  use  the 
clinic" — and  that  is  fine;  they  could  not  get  any  services  at  the  clin- 
ic. Or,  you  could  say,  T  don't  want  my  child  to  have  reproductive 
health,  but  I  would  like  him  to  have  everything  else."  Then,  they 
could  have  everything  else,  but  they  could  not  have  reproductive 
nealth  in  the  school-based  clinic. 

That  was  the  way  we  did  it,  and  we  now  have  many  schools  on 
the  waiting  list  who  have  gone  through  all  the  procedures,  and 
what  they  really  need  is  funding.  And  I  think  if  Federal  funds  were 
available  involving  local  control.  Senator,  and  they  knew  that  they 
had  an  opportunity  to  get  the  funds,  that  you  would  have  many 
schools — I  would  say  that  in  Arkansas,  you  would  probably  get  90 
percent  of  the  schools. 

Senator  Kassebaum.  If  there  were  the  public  health  funds  in 
Arkansas 

Dr.  Elders.  If  there  were  funds  available  to  take  care  of  them. 

Senator  Kassebaum.  I  was  going  to  ask  you  if  you  had  a  waiting 
list,  and  if  support  was  growing  for  it. 

Dr.  Elders.  We  do  have  a  waiting  list.  Support  is  growing  for 
it.  We  have  more  schools— but  now  the  schools  know  we  have  24 
school  districts  on  the  waiting  list,  and  that  we  fund  them  as  we 
can.  A  school  district  may  have  10  or  15  schools,  but  we  are  talking 
about  24  different  school  districts  that  are  on  the  waiting  list. 

Senator  Kassebaum.  Mr.  Chairman,  Fll  vield  the  time  and  will 
be  here  for  other  rounds.  Let  me  just  say  that  Senator  Gregg  sent 
a  letter,  and  he  said  that  he  would  probably  not  be  able  to  attend 
this  afternoon,  but  he  wishes  to  reserve  the  right  to  submit  written 
questions  to  Dr.  Elders  for  the  record,  and  in  my  absence,  he  would 
like  for  me  to  make  this  reqeust. 

The  Chairman.  That  is  certainly  agreeable. 

Senator  Pell. 

Senator  Pell.  Thank  you,  Mr.  Chairman,  for  holding  this  hear- 
ing. While  I  am  confident  that  Dr.  Elders  will  be  an  effective  advo- 
cate of  many  of  our  Nation's  most,  important  health  needs,  with 
which  I  am  in  basic  support  with  you,  I  do  have  one  concern  that 
I  have  expressed  to  you  and  to  Secretary  Shalala.  That  is,  the  Sur- 
geon General's  primary  responsibility  to  my  mind  is  as  manager 
and  leader  of  the  Commissioned  Corps  of  the  Public  Health  Service. 

When  we  first  talked  about  this  topic,  I  think  we  had  a  certain 
difference  of  view  on  this,  but  in  view  of  your  statement  this  morn- 
ing, I  was  delighted  to  hear  that  you  share  my  enthusiasm  for  the 
Public  Health  Service. 


36 

Dr.  Elders.  I  certainly  do,  Senator. 

Senator  Pell.  I  was  much  impressed  with  the  force  and  the 
depth  of  your  statement  this  morning  in  that  regard. 

I  would  like  to  ask  you  if  you  could  give  me  your  idea  of  the  role 
of  the  Commissioned  Corps  and  how  you  would  handle  it  and  how 
you  intend  to  lead  it.  I  am  particularly  concerned  because  the  Pub- 
lic Health  Service  used  to  man  the  vessels,  the  cutters  we  were  on 
in  World  War  II,  and  I  have  since  watched  the  work  of  the  Public 
Health  Service. 

Dr.  Elders.  Senator,  as  leader  of  the  Public  Health  Service 
Corps  and  all  the  many  bright  young  physicians  and  people  who 
are  part  of  the  Corps,  the  11  different  groups  that  are  part  of  the 
Corps,  I  would  hope  to  be  able  to  encourage  and  recruit  more  peo- 
ple to  come  into  the  Corps  as  a  part  of  the  overall  management. 
We  would  work  with  all  of  the  different  agencies  that  we  are  re- 
quired to  work  with — with  the  Department  of  Transportation,  espe- 
cially in  regard  to  the  Coast  Guard  and  providing  health  services 
for  those  individuals.  We  would  be  working,  obviously,  with  the 
States  in  the  many  things  they  are  doing  especially  now  in  the  area 
of  flood  control.  I  think  that  we  would  need  to  be  able  to  respond 
very  quickly  and  immediately.  We  would  like  to  be  able  to  continue 
to  work  with  the  Department  of  Defense  to  coordinate  health  serv- 
ices and  health  activities  for  all  of  the  different  branches.  And  obvi- 
ously, we  have  a  huge  number,  but  as  you  know,  many  of  them  are 
at  the  NIH,  and  they  are  at  the  FDA,  CDC;  they  are  in  many  dif- 
ferent agencies,  and  we  would  like  to  continue  to  be  able  to  have 
the  Commissioned  Corps  as  one  of  the  real  leaders  in  the  Public 
Health  Service. 

I  have  met  many  of  these  wonderful  people  who  are  part  of  the 
Corps,  and  I  have  been  very  impressed  with  their  dedication.  Noth- 
ing is  better  than  for  a  nation  to  have  a  ready,  available  service 
of  trained  people  that  you  can  call  on  when  you  need  them.  I  think 
the  recent  flood  is  one  more  example  of  the  kinds  of  things  that 
they  need  to  do. 

Senator  Pell.  But  do  we  concur  in  the  fact  that  your  prime  re- 
sponsibility is  as  the  leader  of  the  Public  Health  Service,  and  the 
other  duties  are  ancillary  to  it? 

Dr.  Elders.  My  primary  responsibility,  Senator,  will  be  as  an  ad- 
vocate for  health  services  and  certainly  as  a  leader.  I  think  Dr.  Lee 
at  the  present  time — and  I  would  report  to  Dr.  Lee,  but  I  would 
certainly  be  his  advocate — is  kind  of  considered  the  prime  leader  of 
the  Public  Health  Service,  and  I  would  respond  and  report  to  Dr. 
Lee.  But  I  feel  very  strongly  about  the  Public  Health  Service  and 
being  one  of  the  leaders  in  that  area. 

Senator  PELL.  Just  to  keep  the  record  straight,  I  think  the  line 
of  command  goes  from  the  Public  Health  Service  through  you  to 
Dr.  Lee,  and  you  are  in  that  line  of  command. 

Dr.  Elders.  And  I  would  like  to  continue  to  develop  and  move 
the  Public  Health  Service  forward. 

Senator  Pell.  And  what  you  would  be  specifically  the  leader  of 
is  the  Commissioned  Corps. 

Dr.  Elders.  Yes,  sir. 

Senator  Pell.  Is  it  your  intent  to  wear  the  uniform,  as  Dr.  Koop 
and  Dr.  Novello  did? 


37 

Dr.  Elders.  Senator,  I  definitely  plan  to  wear  the  uniform.  As 
she  was  getting  ready  to  leave  office,  Dr.  Novello  told  me  that  you 
never  know  when  somebody  is  going  to  drop  in  and  want  a  picture 
with  the  Surgeon  General,  so  you  have  to  always  be  prepared.  And 
with  that,  yes,  sir,  I  plan  to  wear  the  uniform. 

Senator  Dodd.  You  could  get  one  of  those  cardboard  cutouts. 
[Laughter.] 

Senator  Pell.  Another  question — despite  the  years  of  nationwide 
attention  that  the  dangers  of  drunk  driving  have  received,  many  of 
our  young  people  continue  to  drink  and  drive  and  die.  Will  you  con- 
tinue the  work  of  your  two  predecessors  in  this  regard? 

Dr.  Elders.  Yes,  sir.  I  could  do  nothing  less.  I  think  violence  and 
accidents  are  getting  to  be  very  high  killers  of  our  bright  young 
people,  and  we  must  work  with  everyone  to  try  to  reduce  drinking 
in  our  young  people  and  reduce  drunk  driving;  yes,  sir. 

Senator  Pell.  A  similar  question  is  in  connection  with  discourag- 
ing tobacco  use  amongst  our  children,  which  is  again  where  Drs. 
Koop  and  Novello  took  their  lead  in  the  past. 

Dr.  Elders.  Yes,  sir.  In  fact,  the  tobacco  industry  has  already 
been  very  concerned  about  some  things  that  I  have  said  in  regard 
to  the  tobacco  industry,  and  Senator,  we  have  to  be  concerned 
when  we  realize  the  number  of  people  that  are  dying  as  a  result 
of  lung  cancer  and  the  high  cost — $64  billion— on  our  health  care 
system.  So  yes,  I  will  be  out  there  fighting  against  not  only  ciga- 
rette smoking,  but  against  smokeless  tobacco  or  any  other  use  of 
tobacco  especially  for  our  young  people. 

Senator  Pell.  I  want  to  thank  you  for  your  answers,  and  good 
luck  to  you  in  your  role  as  commanding  officer  of  the  Commissioned 
Corps.  I  am  sure  you  will  do  a  fine  job.  Thank  you  very  much. 

Thank  you,  Mr.  Chairman. 

Dr.  ELDERS.  Thank  you  very  much,  Senator. 

The  Chairman.  Thank  you,  Senator  Pell. 

Senator  Coats. 

Senator  Coats.  Thank  you,  Mr.  Chairman. 

Dr.  Elders,  I  apologize  for  not  being  here — I  was  here  for  your 
statement,  but  I  apologize  for  not  being  here  for  the  opening  ques- 
tions. Another  committee  on  which  I  serve  was  marking  up  its  bill, 
the  Armed  Services  Committee,  and  we  got  right  to  the  end,  and 
we  always  save  the  most  contentious,  controversial  issues  for  the 
end,  so  I  was  torn  between  the  two.  So  if  I  repeat  anything,  I  apolo- 
gize; I  don't  intend  to. 

Dr.  Elders.  I  understand. 

Senator  Coats.  I  would  like  to  pursue  a  number  of  questions. 
First  of  all,  I  want  to  ask  you  a  couple  of  questions  about  the  finan- 
cial records.  You  understand  and  I  think  agreed  that  it  was  within 
the  committee's  prerogative  and  appropriate  for  the  committee  to 
delay  your  hearing  a  week.  We  had  not  received  those  financial 
records,  and  the  reason  why  we  wanted  to  receive  those  financial 
records  was  for  the  purpose  of  dealing  with  the  questions  and  alle- 
gations that  had  been  raised  relative  to  your  financial  affairs.  So 
looking  at  those  records,  I  think,  was  appropriate. 

Now,  we  have  received  some,  but  not  all.  Most  of  what  we  re- 
ceived was  either  very  late  last  night  or  early  this  morning,  which 
really  didn't  give  us  adequate  time  to  go  over  them.  However, 


38 

records  which  go  to  this  whole  question  about  the  Social  Security 
payments  would  necessarily  come  from  your  tax  returns,  and  my 
understanding  is  you  have  declined  to  make  those  tax  returns 
available.  Is  mat  a  correct  understanding? 

Dr.  ELDERS.  That  is  correct,  Senator. 

Senator  Coats.  Do  you  feel  that  that  is  appropriate  in  that  a 
question  has  been  raised  relative  to  failure  to  pay  Social  Security 
taxes  that  were  due,  and  we  do  not  have  the  records  to 

Dr.  Elders.  The  Social  Security,  Senator,  was  for  my  mother-in- 
law;  it  was  filed  on  my  mother-in-law's  returns.  I  do  not  feel  that 
my  mother-in-law  is  really  a  part  of  these  hearings.  It  is  separate. 
My  husband  has  power  of  attorney.  The  Social  Security  has  been 
paid. 

Senator  Coats.  I  understand  that.  I  guess  my 

The  Chairman.  Would  the  Senator  yield  on  this  issue?  Under  the 
practice  of  this  committee,  if  the  Senator  is  interested  in  having  a 
briefing  from  either  the  IRS  or  Social  Security  on  the  details  of 
these  matters,  any  member  of  the  committee,  and  any  member  of 
the  Senate  is  permitted  to  have  that  briefing.  But  we  have  recog- 
nized a  modicum  of  privacy,  particularly  when  the  documents  in- 
volve another  person  and  are  not  directly  related  to  the  nominee. 

Any  question  that  you  have  with  regard,  to  her  taxes  or  Social  Se- 
curity, you  will  be  briefed  in  as  much  detail  as  you  would  like.  The 
FBI  has  made  available  to  us  their  conclusions  on  this  matter. 

So  we  should  have  some  perspective  on  this  issue.  The  only  time 
we  have  had  complete  tax  information  was  from  Secretary  Lamar 
Alexander,  who  voluntarily  supplied  it. 

Senator  Coats.  I  understand  that,  Mr.  Chairman. 

My  question  was  do  you  plan  to  submit  them  or  not,  and  you  an- 
swered no,  and  that  is  the  end  of  the  question. 

Dr.  Elders.  Right. 

Senator  Coats.  I  do,  then,  have  some  questions  relative  to  that 
Social  Security  issue  that  I  think  we  ought  to  clarify  so  we  can  put 
this  issue  to  rest.  It  obviously  has  been  an  issue  in  other  nomina- 
tions on  payment  of  this  tax,  and  in  that  it  has  been  such  a  promi- 
nent issue,  I  think  it  would  be  important  to  get  some  answers  for 
the  record  if  I  could. 

Could  you  describe  for  us  the  nursing  arrangement  that  you  and/ 
or  your  husband  established  for  your  mother-in-law? 

Dr.  ELDERS.  All  right.  The  nursing  arrangement,  Senator,  was 
initially  established  by  my  father-in-law  to  take  care  of  his  wife, 
and  we  continued  those  arrangements.  My  husband  had  power  of 
attorney,  and  he  paid  this  nurse  most  of  the  time,  but  I  did  pay 
her  sometimes. 

Senator  Coats.  Was  that  Audrey  Ruffin? 

Dr.  Elders.  Yes. 

Senator  Coats.  And  who  hired  Audrey  Ruffin? 

Dr.  Elders.  My  father-in-law,  Oliver  Elders,  Senior. 

Senator  Coats.  And  where  did  she  work? 

Dr.  Elders.  She  worked  taking  care  of  my  mother-in-law  at  my 
house. 

Senator  Coats.  And  she  was  a  private  nurse? 

Dr.  Elders.  She  was  a  home  health  aide,  and  that  was  her  pri- 
mary responsibility.  She  worked  about  6  to  7  hours  per  day.  I 


39 

would  get  up  each  morning  and,  before  I  would  go  to  work,  get  my 
mother-in-law  up,  bathe  her,  feed  her,  and  take  care  of  her  nec- 
essary things,  and  put  her  in  the  chair,  because  we  were  trying  to 
use  just  one  person.  And  I  would  care  for  my  mother-in-law  on  the 
weekend.  But  Ms.  Ruffin  was  there  every  day,  and  she  took  excel- 
lent care  of  my  mother-in-law,  and  that  was  her  only  job. 

Senator  Coats.  Did  you  and/or  your  husband  basically  dictate 
her  responsibilities  and  the  hours  that  she  was  to 

Dr.  Elders.  That  had  really,  as  I  said,  been  arranged  by  my  fa- 
ther-in-law, and  we  kept  that  arrangement.  I  was  gone  when  Ms. 
Ruffin  came;  I  was  already  at  work.  She  left  before  I  got  home. 

Senator  Coats.  If  you  were  going  to  travel  at  a  different  time, 
or  leave  earlier  or  leave  later,  did  you  have 

Dr.  ELDERS.  Senator,  I  caught  planes  at  6:45  in  the  morning.  I 
would  get  my  mother-in-law  up,  bathe  her,  feed  her,  and  put  her 
in  the  chair 

Senator  Coats.  I  understand  that. 

Dr.  Elders.  — because  the  most  important  thing  for  me  was  that 
she  was  very  comfortable. 

Senator  Coats.  I  understand  that,  Dr.  Elders. 

Dr.  Elders.  This  was  a  woman  who,  when  my  children  were 
very  small,  and  I  was  having  to  work  very  long,  hard  hours,  espe- 
cially during  the  summer,  would  come  and  take  my  children  and 
keep  them  for  a  month,  and  take  them  to  Disneyworld  and  places. 
And  every  summer,  she  would  keep  my  children  for  a  month  for 
me,  for  a  rest. 

Senator  Coats.  Dr.  Elders,  I 

Dr.  Elders.  So  now,  I  don't  have  any  problems  taking  care  of 
her. 

Senator  Coats.  I  understand  that. 

Dr.  Elders.  And  yes,  when  I  left  at  6  in  the  morning 

Senator  Coats.  You  misunderstand  my  question,  Dr.  Elders. 

Dr.  ELDERS.  Oh,  I'm  sorry. 

Senator  Coats.  I  perhaps  did  not  State  it  clearly. 

Dr.  Elders.  Oh,  I'm  sorry.  I  thought  you  said  when  I  was 
going 

Senator  Coats.  I  think  it  is  very  admirable  what  you  did,  and 
I  can  appreciate  the  difficulty  of  doing  that,  and  I  can  find 

Dr.  Elders.  I  never  considered  it  a  difficulty,  Senator.  I  felt  that 
I  was  doing 

Senator  Coats.  I  am  trying  to  be  sympathetic,  empathetic. 

Dr.  Elders.  Well,  I  don't  want  you  to  be  sympathetic.  [Laugh- 
ter.] I  am  telling  you  that 

The  Chairman.  She  doesn't  need  it;  that's  what  she's  telling  you. 

Dr.  Elders.  — this  is  something  X  have  done  with  pride  because 
she  did  it  for  me. 

Senator  Coats.  My  question  was  could  you  have  called  up  Au- 
drey Ruffin  and  said,  "Audrey,  I  have  to  leave  at  6:45.  Could  you 
come  earlier  today"— or  tomorrow — were  you  able  to  do  that,  or  did 
you  do  that? 

Dr.  Elders.  Now  that  I  am  here,  Senator,  and  my  husband  is 
here,  too,  Audrey  Ruffin  is  taking  care  of  my  mother-in-law. 


40 

Senator  Coats.  I  understand  that,  but  my  question  is  who  made 
the  arrangements  for  Audrey  Ruffin-  in  terms  of  what  time  she 
would  show  up  for  work  and  how  long  she  would  have  to  stay? 

Dr.  Elders.  That  had  really  been  prearranged  by  my  father-in- 
law.  She  always  looked  good,  and  she  was  always  well  taken  care 
of,  so  I  didn't  see  her.  And  I  know  it  sounds 

Senator  Coats.  OK.  Let  me  go  on  to  another  question.  I  am  not 
able  to  State  that  with  sufficient  clarity.  Did  Audrey  Ruffin  ever 
live  with  you? 

Dr.  Elders.  No,  sir. 

Senator  Coats.  Was  she  paid  by  checks  drawn  from  your  joint 
checking  account  with  your  husband? 

Dr.  Elders.  Yes,  sir. 

Senator  Coats.  Have  you  ever  signed  a  check  or  made  payments 
to  Audrey  Ruffin  for  services  received? 

Dr.  Elders.  Yes,  sir. 

Senator  Coats.  Have  you  ever  signed  a  check  or  made  payments 
for  services  rendered  to  Leona — excuse  me — maybe  it  is  divine 
intervention;  maybe  I  am  not  supposed  to  ask  these  questions. 
Now,  is  Leona  Elders  your  mother-in-law? 

Dr.  Elders.  Yes,  sir,  she  is  my  mother-in-law. 

Senator  Coats.  She  is  your  mother-in-law.  All  right.  Now,  is  it 
true  that  Social  Security  and  unemployment  taxes  were  not  with- 
held from  Ms.  Ruffin's  wages  while  she  was  in  your  employ? 

Dr.  Elders.  That's  correct. 

Senator  Coats.  And  were  Federal  and  State  taxes  withheld  from 
her  salary? 

Dr.  Elders.  No,  sir. 

Senator  Coats.  Did  either  you  or  your  husband  consult  with  a 
lawyer  or  tax  expert  regarding  your  mother-in-law  taking  a  deduc- 
tion for  services  which  she  did  not  pay?  Did  you  ever  contact  a  law- 
yer or  a  financial  consultant  or  a  banker  to  try  to  understand  what 
the  arrangements  were? 

Dr.  Elders.  No,  sir.  Senator,  I 

Senator  Coats.  I  am  not  commenting  on  whether  this 

Dr.  Elders.  Well,  I  guess  I'm  saying 

The  Chairman.  Could  you  restate  it,  Dan?  I  am  trying  to  follow 
it  myself. 

Senator  Coats.  Did  either  you  or  your  husband  consult  with  a 
lawyer  or  a  tax  expert  regarding  your  mother-in-law  taking  a  de- 
duction for  services  for  which  she  did  not  pay?  In  other  words,  on 
your  mother-in-law's  return 

The  Chairman.  Did  you  consult  with  a  lawyer  about  your  moth- 
er-in-law's taxes  to  get  advice  as  to -whether  she  could  take  a  medi- 
cal deduction? 

Senator  Coats.  Or  any  other  deduction. 

Dr.  Elders.  No,  sir.  Well,  our  tax  accountant  handled  that,  and 
this  was 

Senator  Coats.  You  didn't  raise  the  question  with  them. 

Dr.  Elders.  No,  sir. 

Senator  Coats.  When  did  you  realize  that  what  was  done  here 
was  a  violation  of  the  law  in  terms  of  not  paying  the  taxes? 


41 

Dr.  Elders.  Well,  Senator,  I  guess  even  today,  I  don't  feel  that 
it  was  a  violation  of  the  law  in  regard  to  me.  but  I  think  it  was 
an  error  that  was  made  in  that  my  husband  didn't  pay. 

Senator  Coats.  Well,  whether  we  agree  with  the  law  or  not,  the 
law  states  that  it  is  a  violation.  Did  you  at  some  point  realize  that 
it  was  a  violation  of  the  law  as  written? 

Dr.  Elders.  Well,  I  guess  the  past  few  weeks,  I  guess  I  did. 
When  we  found  out,  we  paid  it,  but  it  was  not  a  violation,  I  don't 
think,  for  me. 

Senator  Coats.  But  you  did  at  some  point  realize  that  the  law 
had  been  violated  relative  to  the  taxes  and  Social  Security. 

Dr.  Elders.  Yes. 

Senator  Coats.  As  the  director  of  a  State  health  department, 
were  you  familiar  with  the  practices  and  procedures  for  hiring  pri- 
vate nurses? 

Dr.  Elders.  Well,  Senator,  I  did  not  get  into  all  the  details  of 
personnel  policy  at  the  Department  of  Health. 

Senator  Coats.  So  you  were  not  aware  then  that  there  were  cer- 
tain legal  responsibilities  relative  to  tax  payments  and  so  forth  to 
private  nurses. 

Dr.  Elders.  Senator,  it  was  my  understanding — and  this  had 
been  some  of  our  understanding  in  regard  to  this — that  private- 
duty  nurses  really  are  independent  consultants  or  independent  con- 
tractors, and  they  handle  their  own — you  pay  them  a  fixed  amount, 
and 

Senator  Coats.  Your  husband,  when  asked  why  he  failed  to 
withhold  the  taxes,  said  it  was  because  he  couldn't  afford  to  pay 
them;  yet  there  has  been  a  lot  written  about  your  salary  and  your 
husband's  combined  salary  with  yours.  Was  that  an  accurate  state- 
ment? Was  that  a  fact,  that  you  could  not  afford  to  pay  the  taxes 
on  the  nurse  hired  to  take  care  of  your  mother-in-law? 

Dr.  ELDERS.  Senator,  I  would  not  like  to  answer  in  regard  to 
what  my  husband  said,  because  I  didn't  hear  him  make  that  state- 
ment. 

Senator  Coats.  Well,  could  I  have  your  opinion  as  to  whether  or 
not  you  thought  you  and  your  husband  had  sufficient  income  to  pay 
the  taxes? 

Dr.  Elders.  Fm  sure,  Senator,  we  would  have — you  know,  you 
always  have  sufficient  income  to  do  what  you  have  to  do. 

Senator  Coats.  Well,  I  guess  my  question  goes  to  whether  or  not 
you  thought  you  were  supposed  to  pay  the  taxes,  or  you  thought 
that  you  just  did  not  have  enough  money  to  pay  the  taxes. 

Dr.  Elders.  Senator,  again,  these  were  my  mother-in-law's 
taxes 


Senator  Coats.  Dr.  Elders,  listen,  I  can- 


The  CHAIRMAN.  Let  her  answer.  She  is  trying  to  answer. 

Senator  Coats.  Well,  it  wasn't  answering  the  question  I  asked, 
but  I'll  be  patient. 

The  Chairman.  She  is  entitled  to  give  any  answer  if  she  can  an- 
swer, the  question  as  it  has  been  phrased. 

Senator  Coats.  I  am  sorry,  Dr.  Elders.  I  didn't  mean  to  interrupt 
you. 

Dr.  Elders.  Well,  I  guess  what  I  was  really  saying  was  these  are 
really  my  mother-in-law's  taxes.  There  is  my  husband,  and  he  has 


42 

two  sisters.  Our  agreement  was  that  he  would  take  care  of  what 
needed  to  be  done  with  his  parents.  I  was  not  involved  in  their  fi- 
nancial affairs.  His  mother-in-law  had  funds  that  I  know  that  we 
paid  Ms.  Ruffin. 

So  I  was  just  not  involved  in  their  day-to-day  affairs.  Maybe  I 
should  have,  but  I  wasn't.  To  me,  the  most  important  thing  that 
I  had  to  do  was  to  provide  the  best  possible  health  care  that  I  could 
for  my  mother-in-law. 

Senator  Coats.  Mr.  Chairman,  I  should  inquire  how  much  time 
I  have  left  on  this  round,  because  I  have  another  series  of  questions 
that  I  don't  want  to  start  if  I  am  going  to  run  out  of  time  halfway 
through. 

The  Chairman.  One  minute. 

Senator  Coats.  Well,  I  can't  make  it  through  the  series  of  ques- 
tions, then.  I'll  wait  for  the  second  round.  I'd  be  happy  to  do  that. 

The  Chairman.  If  Senator  Metzenbaum  would  just  yield  for  a 
few  moments  so  that  I  can  address  the  Social  Security  matter.  As 
I  understand  it,  in  1985,  Leona  Elders  executed  power  of  attorney 
in  favor  of  her  son,  Oliver  Elders.  Leona  is  your  mother-in-law.  Is 
that  right? 

Dr.  Elders.  Yes,  sir,  that's  correct. 

The  Chairman.  Now,  your  mother-in-law  and  your  father-in-law 
came  to  live  in  your  home. 

Dr.  Elders.  Yes,  sir. 

The  Chairman.  The  parents  of  your  husband. 

Dr.  Elders.  Yes,  sir. 

The  Chairman.  And  they  were  the  people  who  initially  estab- 
lished a  relationship  with  Audrey  Ruffin;  is  that  correct? 

Dr.  Elders.  Yes,  sir. 

The  CHAmMAN.  Due  to  their  failing  health,  Mr.  Elders  and  Leona 
Elders  moved  into  your  home  with  you  and  your  husband.  Now,  in 
the  summer  of  1988,  O.B.  Elders,  your  father-in-law,  hired  Ms. 
Ruffin  to  care  for  his  wife  who  was  suffering  from  Alzheimer's  dis- 
ease. 

Dr.  Elders.  Yes,  sir. 

The  Chairman.  And  O.B.  Elders  arranged  to  pay  Ms.  Ruffin 
without  Social  Security  taxes,  and  shortly  thereafter,  O.B.  Elders 
died;  is  that  right? 

Dr.  Elders.  That  is  correct,  sir. 

The  Chadxman.  Then,  from  1988  to  1993,  your  husband  contin- 
ued to  employ  Audrey  Ruffin  under  the  same  conditions  as  his  fa- 
ther had  employed  her,  and  Audrey  Ruffin  was  paid  from  Leona  El- 
ders' funds. 

Dr.  Elders.  That's  correct,  sir. 

The  Chairman.  So  the  funds  that  you  are  talking  about  were  ac- 
tually the  funds  of  your  mother-in-taw 

Dr.  Elders.  Thars  correct. 

The  Chairman.  — that  your  husband  had  access  to,  and  he  used 
those  funds  to  pay  for  this  attendant. 

Dr.  Elders.  Yes,  sir. 

The  Chairman.  And  when  you  signed  checks,  you  signed  checks 
for  that  amount  of  money — even  though  it  is  a  joint  account — that 
amount  of  money  that  belonged  to  your  mother-in-law;  is  that 
right? 


43 

Dr.  Elders.  Yes,  sir. 

The  Chairman.  And  recently,  your  husband  Oliver  acknowledged 
that  he  was  obligated  to  withhold  the  Social  Security. 

Dr.  Elders.  Yes,  sir. 

The  Chairman.  These  were  your  husband's  parents. 

Dr.  Elders.  Yes,  sir. 

The  Chairman.  You  love  them  as  family,  but  they  are  your  hus- 
band's parents.  Now,  I  love  my  wife's  parents,  too,  I  just  want  to 
make  that  clear;  I  don't  know  whether  they  are  out  there  watch- 
ing—[Laughter.] 

Oliver  Elders  now  acknowledges  that  he  was  obligated  to  with- 
hold the  Social  Security  tax,  and  he  has  paid  approximately 
$15,000  in  back  taxes  to  the  IRS. 

Dr.  Elders.  Yes,  sir. 

The  Chairman.  OK.  You  never  took  any  kind  of  deduction  in 
your  taxes  to  the  best  of  your  knowledge. 

Dr.  Elders.  No,  sir. 

The  Chairman.  Not  even  to  the  best  of  your  knowledge — you 
didn't  take  any. 

Dr.  Elders.  No,  sir.  Her  taxes  were  filed  as  Leona  Elders  every 
year. 

The  Chairman.  But  you  never  took  any. 

Dr.  Elders.  No,  sir. 

Senator  Coats.  Well,  did  you  and  your  husband  file  a  joint  re- 
turn? 

Dr.  Elders.  Yes,  sir. 

Senator  Coats.  Did  that  tax  return  reflect  any  deductions  that 
were  taken? 

Dr.  Elders.  Not  for  Leona  Elders. 

Senator  Coats.  There  were  no  deductions  taken  for  Leona  Elders 
on  the  joint  return  filed  by  you  and  your  husband. 

Dr.  Elders.  For  us,  no,  sir. 

The  Chairman.  Well,  I  thank  you.  We  have  other  questions,  but 
Fll  come  back  to  them. 

I  yield  the  remaining  time,  Senator  Metzenbaum. 

Senator  Metzenbaum  Dr.  Elders,  Fm  not  sure  what  we  are  here 
about,  whether  we  are  here  about  whether  you  ought  to  be  Surgeon 
General,  or  whether  your  husband  should  have  paid  Social  Security 
taxes,  but  I  understand  the  questions,  and  I  respect  my  colleagues' 
inquiry  along  that  line. 

I  must  say  for  myself  that  I  think  there  has  been  more  to-do 
about  this  whole  question  of  the  Social  Security  taxes  than  maybe 
has  been  warranted,  and  I  really  want  to  be  sure  you  are  a  law- 
abiding  citizen,  which  I  am  confident  everybody  agrees  you  are. 
Senator  Hatfield  speaks  up  for  you,  Senator  Boren  speaks  up  for 
you,  Representative  Lambert  speaks  up  for  you  and  knows  you 
well. 

And  I  think  that  we  can  sometimes  get  diverted.  I  am  a  little  bit 
concerned  that  nobody  cares  too  much  about  taxes  and  the  banking 
situation,  which  I  have  looked  into,  and  I  am  satisfied;  you  have 
a  very  clean  record,  and  there  is  no  problem  about  it.  You  got  a 
letter  from  some  governmental  authorities,  but  you  were  just  a 
member  of  the  board  of  directors.  There  is  no  question  that  you 
borrowed  money  from  the  bank,  that  you  paid  back  the  money  to 


44 

the  bank,  that  you  didn't  get  any  special  interest  rate.  I  have 
looked  into  all  of  those  questions,  because  if  there  were  something 
basically  wrong  with  your  integrity,  I  would  have  difficulty  voting 
for  you.  I  am  satisfied  that  you  nave  the  utmost  in  integrity.  Either 
you  have  integrity,  or  you  do  not,  and  I  have  satisfied  that  you 
nave  integrity. 

Dr.  Elders.  Thank  you,  Senator. 

Senator  Metzenbaum  So  then  the  next  question  is,  are  you  ca- 
pable of  being  Surgeon  General  of  the  United  States.  Now,  to  hear 
some  of  the  people  who  have  spoken  out  for  you  and  to  read  about 
your  record,  I  have  never  had  the  privilege  of  meeting  you  before, 
but  I  have  the  feeling  that  if  I  didn't  vote  for  you,  I  might  feel  the 
same  way  I  felt  about  Dr.  C.  Everett  Koop.  I  did  not  vote  for  him, 
and  I  made  a  mistake.  And  I  don't  intend  to  make  that  mistake 
now,  and  I  hope  this  committee  and  this  Senate  does  not  make  that 
mistake. 

You  are  an  unbelievably  capable,  aggressive,  aggressive  woman, 
and  I  think  that's  what  we  need  in  fighting  some  of  the  problems 
in  this  country.  The  whole  problem  of  children  and  HIV/AIDS  is 
not  going  to  take  a  passive  attitude;  it  is  not  going  to  be  the  kind 
of  subject  that  it  going  to  solve  itself.  The  problem  of  teenage  preg- 
nancy is  incredible.  And  whether  you  maae  great  progress  or  vou 
did  not  make  great  progress,  everybody  has  to  stand  up  and  salute 
you  for  having  maae  the  effort.  There  are  some  things  that  you 
can't  do  that  much. 

Then,  I  read  some  articles  in  the  paper  about  the  availability  of 
condoms  and  the  fact  that  some  of  the  condoms  were  defective,  and 
whether  you  should  have  gone  public  or  should  not  have.  I  don't 
know.  Maybe  you  should  have.  I  am  not  sure.  But  I  am  interested 
in  the  health  of  the  people  of  this  country,  and  for  myself,  I  am  sat- 
isfied that  you  are  a  breath  of  fresh  air.  You  are  going  to  go  in  and 
do  that  job;  you  are  going  to  get  confirmed,  and  you  are  going  to 
get  confirmea  by  an  overwhelming  vote,  and  I  think  you  are  going 
to  do  a  fantastic  job  for  the  health  care  needs  of  this  country. 

Some  right  wing  groups  are  going  to  be  unhappy  because  you  are 
aggressive  in  speaking  out  about  some  of  these  issues  having  to  do 
with  sex,  having  to  do  with  venereal  disease,  and  having  to  do  with 
certain  other  issues  of  that  kind.  But  that  is  their  problem.  I  think 
that  you  are  going  to  do  a  fantastic  job,  and  I  am  just  so  pleased 
that  1  have  had  the  privilege  of  meeting  you  here  today.  I  never 
had  that  privilege  before,  and  I  wish  you  well. 

Dr.  Elders.  Thank  you,  Senator.  Til  do  the  very  best  that 
Joycelyn  Elders  knows  how. 

Senator  Metzenbaum.  Thank  you.  Good  luck. 

The  Chairman.  Thank  you,  Senator  Metzenbaum. 

Senator  Dodd. 

Senator  Dodd.  Thank  you,  Mr.  Chairman.  I  would  ask  unani- 
mous consent  that  my  formal  remarks  be  included  in  the  record. 

The  Chairman.  Without  objection,  so  ordered. 

(The  prepared  statement  of  Senator  Dodd  follows:] 

Prepared  Statement  of  Senator  Dodd 

Mr.  Chairman,  I  speak  today  in  strong  support  of  President  Clin- 
ton's nominee  for  U.S.  Surgeon  General,  Dr.  Joycelyn  Elders.  De- 


45 

spite  her  numerous  qualifications  and  the  many  endorsements  she 
has  received,  I  fear  her  confirmation  will  be  contentious.  I  hope 
that  we  can  focus  on  her  accomplishments  and  the  promise  that 
she  offers  the  country,  and  not  tear  apart  a  nominee  with  a  strong 
commitment  to  public  service. 

Dr.  Elders  has  proven  throughout  her  career  as  a  pediatrician 
and  public  servant  that  she  will  be  a  strong  champion  for  the  pub- 
lic health  of  the  Nation — particularly  for  the  well  being  of  children. 
Dr.  Elders  and  I  share  this  focus.  It  is  because  of  the  promise  that 
she  offers  to  the  Nation's  children  that  I  went  to  the  floor  last  week 
to  speak  on  her  behalf. 

It  is  clear  to  anyone  that  looks  at  the  many  educational  and  pro- 
fessional accomplishments  on  her  resume  that  she  is  highly  quali- 
fied for  the  job.  But  her  distinguished  resume  is  only  part  of  the 
story.  Dr.  Elders  is  well-known  not  just  for  her  resume  But  for  her 
actions — most  important,  her  willingness  to  take  on  difficult  prob^ 
lems. 

I  had  the  pleasure  of  meeting  Dr.  Elders  recently.  We  discussed 
the  problems  and  obstacles  faced  by  our  Nation's  youth.  We  talked 
about  a  problem  of  particular  concern  to  me — youth  violence.  Dr. 
Elders  understands  the  relationship  between  the  high  rate  of  vio- 
lence and  other  social  problems. 

She  knows  that  health  problems  and  other  social  ills  are  linked. 
She  knows  that  to  improve  health  we  must  also  address  the  related 
problems  of  drugs,  alcoholism,  homicide,  suicide,  accidents,  AIDS, 
and  teen  pregnancy. 

For  almost  6  years,  she  served  as  director  of  health  for  the  State 
of  Arkansas  ana  became  known  for  her  ability  to  draw  attention  to 
the  health  needs  in  her  State  and  the  special  needs  of  youth.  Ar- 
kansas organizations  that  take  a  special  interest  in  these  mat- 
ters— such  as  the  PTA  and  the  medical  society — are  quick  to  point 
out  her  leadership.  She  oversaw  major  public  health  improvements 
in  Arkansas,  including  improved  childhood  immunization  rates, 
childhood  screening,  and  prenatal  care  programs. 

Mr.  Chairman,  our  country  faces  many  public  health  problems — 
an  appallingly  high  infant  mortality  rate,  an  AIDS  epidemic,  low 
rates  of  immunization,  and  teen  pregnancy — to  mention  a  few.  We 
need  a  surgeon  general  who  is  willing  to  tackle  difficult  issues  and 
bring  them  the  attention  they  deserve,  as  was  the  case  with  Dr.  C. 
Everett  Koop. 

In  my  own  State  of  Connecticut,  more  girls  in  Hartford  have  ba- 
bies than  graduate  from  high  school  in  a  year.  I  read  in  the  Hart- 
ford Courant  this  week  that  in  the  city  of  New  Haven,  CT,  %  of 
10th  graders,  Vz  of  8th  graders,  and  more  than  Ya  of  6th  graders 
reported  in  a  recent  survey  that  they  have  had  sex. 

We  cannot  ignore  these  realities  and  we  certainly  cannot  accept 
and  address  them  only  after  the  fact.  Dr.  Elders  has  expressed  her 
commitment  to  change  these  sorts  of  statistics  so  that  our  young 
people  can  finish  school,  take  control  of  their  lives,  and  hopefully 
break  the  cycle  of  poverty. 

Dr.  Elders'  opponents  claim  she  is  a  radical  with  dangerous 
ideas.  They  say  that  she  will  tarnish  the  innocence  of  children. 
They  say  all  this,  even  though  Jovcelyn  Elders'  actions  have  ad- 
vanced the  health  and  well  being  of  children. 


46 

Dr.  Elders  ideas  and  goals  are  ones  that  I  believe  most  of  us 
would  agree  with.  She  wants  to  keep,  children  healthy  by  educating 
them  to  avoid  harmful  behavior.  She  also  wants  to  provide  them 
with  access  to  primary  and  preventive  care.  Dr.  Elders  saw  that 
children  weren't  using  the  Arkansas'  public  health  clinics,  so  she 
established  clinics  in  the  schools.  The  clinics  reach  children  who 
otherwise  would  not  have  access  to  health  care.  This  is  not  radical 
or  dangerous.  It  is  common  sense. 

Dr.  Elders  has  said  that  she  supports  age  appropriate  com- 
prehensive health  education.  Unfortunately,  this  sensitivity  to  age 
does  not  apply  to  the  soap  operas  and  other  television  shows  that 
children  can  view  by  simply  turning  on  the  television  at  3  in  the 
afternoon.  Dr.  Elders  recognizes  that  children  get  messages  about 
sexuality  from  many  sources  whether  we  like  it  or  not.  She  pushes 
to  educate  at  younger  ages  to  make  youth  more  responsible  and 
healthier,  not  to  tarnish  their  innocence. 

Opponents  of  Dr.  Elders'  nomination  will  try  to  make  her  out  to 
be  an  extremist.  I  believe,  and  hope  that  my  colleagues  agree,  that 
Dr.  Elders'  willingness  to  speak  out  on  difficult  issues  and  not  bow 
to  political  pressure  does  not  make  her  extreme.  It  distinguishes 
her  as  a  leader. 

The  most  respected  institutions  have  recognized  and  honored  her 
leadership.  As  of  July  9,  close  to  100  private,  private  nonprofit,  and 
public  organizations  had  endorsed  her  nomination,  including  the 
American  Medical  Association.  Both  the  current  and  a  former  com- 
missioner of  health  of  my  own  State  of  Connecticut  have  written 
to  me  in  support  of  Dr.  Elders.  They  know  and  have  worked  with 
her  and  they  know  the  health  problems  that  face  Connecticut.  They 
believe  that  the  State  and  the  country  needs  Joycelyn  Elders. 

And  what  do  the  people  of  Arkansas  have  to  say?  She  has  re- 
ceived the  strongest  endorsements  from  groups  in  Arkansas.  The 
Arkansas  Chapter  of  the  Society  for  Public  Health  Education,  the 
Arkansas  Hospital  Association,  the  Arkansas  Medical  Society,  the 
Arkansas  PTA,  and  the  Arkansas  Public  Health  Association  all 
have  endorsed  Dr.  Elders. 

I  look  forward  to  hearing  from  Dr.  Elders  this  morning  and  hope 
that  this  committee  will  focus  on  the  promise  that  she  oners  to  the 
Nation,  particularly  for  our  youth.  I  strongly  support  her  nomina- 
tion. 

Senator  Dodd.  Dr.  Elders,  welcome  once  again  to  the  committee. 

I  would  just  point  out,  Mr.  Chairman,  and  to  my  colleagues  here, 
that  I  had  never  met  you  until  you  came  by  the  office.  I  am  pleased 
that  you  took  the  time  to  visit. 

I  always  think  it's  a  pretty  good  test  to  go  back  to  one's  neigh- 
bors, coworkers,  friends,  or  other  people  who  may  have  known  you. 
Not  that  it  is  necessarily  an  absolute  test,  but  it  is  a  pretty  good 
one,  generally  speaking.  I  am  always  a  little  cautious  about  endors- 
ing people  who  haven  t  been  endorsed  by  people  that  they  have 
worked  with  in  the  past  and  who  know  them.  And  for  those  who 
may  not  know  you  well  and  who  are  only  becoming  familiar  with 
your  views  in  tnis  setting,  I  think  it  is  very  important  to  note  for 
the  record  that  over  100  organizations  have  endorsed  your  can- 
didacy, including  such  radical  groups  as  the  Parent-Teacher  Asso- 
ciation of  Arkansas  and  the  Arkansas  Medical  Society.  My  commis- 


47 

sioner  of  health  and  a  former  commissioner  in  the  State  of  Con- 
necticut who  know  you,  strongly  endorse  your  candidacy.  Other 
health  organizations  in  your  State  have  voiced  their  support — the 
list  goes  on  and  on. 

I  think  that  this  is  very  worthwhile  information  when  trying  to 
make  judgments  based  on  your  almost  6  years  of  work  at  the  De- 
partment of  Health  and  on  your  previous  academic  and  profes- 
sional involvement. 

I  suspect  that  every  one  of  these  organizations  that  have  en- 
dorsed you  did  not  agree  with  everything  you  did  or  every  word  you 
have  spoken;  I  have  read  a  few  of  the  things  you  have  said,  and 
I  have  a  little  difficulty  with  the  way  you  nave  articulated  some 
views,  but  that  is  not  the  issue  here.  For  those  who  may  be  trying 
to  make  a  judgement  call  as  to  whether  or  not  you  are  competent 
or  qualified,  I  think  what  is  important  is  whether  or  not  you  have 
demonstrated  the  kind  of  leadership,  involvement,  and  forthright- 
ness  that  is  critical  in  this  job. 

I  took  the  floor  a  week  or  so  ago  on  your  behalf  after  I  had  met 
you  and  talked  to  you.  I  decided  early  on  that  I  wanted  to  express 
my  strong  views.  And  I  said  at  that  time  that  we  don't  like  to 
admit  mistakes  up  here;  Senators  are  really  dreadful  at  admitting 
that  we  have  cast  votes  that  we  would  like  to  have  back.  There 
have  been  a  few  in  my  12  years  that  I  would  like  to  have  back,  and 
one  of  them  is  my  vote  on  Dr.  C.  Everett  Koop.  I  voted  against  him, 
and  I  regret  it,  because  he  turned  out  to  be  one  fine  Surgeon  Gen- 
eral. 

And  one  of  the  reasons  I  got  to  like  him  so  much — not  that  I 
agreed  with  him  on  everything — is  that  I  liked  his  forthrightness; 
I  liked  the  fact  that  he  didn't  mince  words,  and  he  laid  out  issues 
before  this  committee  and  the  Congress  and  the  American  public 
that  we  had  to  come  to  terms  with.  He  turned  out  to  be  a  terrific 
leader  on  these  issues.  Not  that  you  are  going  to  necessarily  follow 
a  similar  path  on  views,  but  you  share  the  same  forthrightness 
that  I  think  is  critical. 

Of  course,  we  are  told  that  you  are  a  radical  and  dangerous  indi- 
vidual. I  look  and  I  see  that  you  care  about  such  issues  as  teenage 
pregnancy  and  substance  abuse.  In  a  sense,  those  are  radical  ideas, 
in  the  true  sense  of  the  word,  "radical."  We  have  been  ducking 
these  issues  for  a  long  time,  and  maybe  we  need  to  come  to  terms 
with  them  and  should  have  a  long  time  ago.  The  fact  that  you  have 
brought  them  up  in  the  State  of  Arkansas,  I  think  is  extremely 
worthwhile. 

So  I  welcome  your  nomination.  I  think  the  President  made  a  ter- 
rific choice.  I  am  glad  you  accepted  the  challenge.  I  am  sorry  you 
have  had  to  go  through  some  of  this,  but  that  is  what  people  have 
to  do.  It  is  worth  it,  in  my  view,  in.  the  end,  because  I  think  the 
American  people  are  going  to  come  to  know  you  and  respect  you. 
I  think  your  statement  this  morning  was  tremendous,  and  I  am 
confident  you'll  do  an  excellent  job. 

I  made  the  offer  earlier  to  the  chairman  to  yield  my  time  be- 
cause, and  I  do  want  to  get  back  into  the  other  lines  of  questioning. 
So  Fll  yield  my  time  to  you  to  complete  that  cycle,  if  that  is  what 
you'd  care  to  do,  Mr.  Chairman. 

The  Chairman.  I  would  like  to  do  that  if  it  is  agreeable. 


48 

Senator  Dodd.  Ill  do  that  and  reserve  specific  questions. 

The  Chairman.  There  are  still  a  couple  of  areas;  let  me  go 
through  one  additional  area  and  then  yield  to  Senator  Simon,  if 
that  is  all  right. 

Finally,  on  the  Social  Security  issue,  your  husband  had  a  power 
of  attorney  for  his  mother's  funds;  is  that  correct? 

Dr.  Elders.  That? s  correct,  sir. 

The  Chairman.  He  was  designated  with  the  power  of  attorney, 
officially. 

Dr.  Elders.  Yes,  sir. 

The  Chairman.  Now,  on  the  issue  of  the  alleged  double-dip  sal- 
ary, my  understanding  is  that  it  is  common  for  Federal  nominees 
like  yourself  to  work  as  consultants  before  they  are  actually  con- 
firmed. In  spite  of  this,  you  have  been  accused  of  some  double-dip- 
ping. 

Hasn't  the  ethics  officer  for  the  Department  of  Health  and 
Human  Services — who,  incidentally,  served  as  an  ethics  official  in 
the  Reagan  and  Bush  administrations — already  made  an  authori- 
tative judgment  on  this  question? 

Dr.  Elders.  Yes,  sir. 

The  Chairman.  Could  you  share  that  judgment  with  us,  Dr.  El- 
ders? Ill  put  in  the  record  at  this  time  the  letter  that  was  sent  to 
me  as  part  of  the  record,  but  Fll  give  you  an  opportunity  to  respond 
to  that  question. 

[The  letter  referred  to  may  be  found  in  the  appendix.] 

Dr.  Elders.  Senator,  in  regard  to  what  he  said,  it  was  my  im- 
pression that  he  said  that  what  I  was  doing,  there  was  nothing,  no 
rule  or  anything  against  it.  But  if  I  can  just  tell  you  what  hap- 
pened, you  had  vacation  days,  and  we  have  a  rule  in  Arkansas — 
and  I  had  asked  for  leave  of  absence  and  had  been  granted  leave 
of  absence  without  pay — but  you  can't  take  leave  of  absence  with- 
out pay  until  you  have  used  up  all  of  your  vacation  days. 

So  I  was  using  earned  vacation  days.  It  was  in  no  way — I  did  not 
see  that  as  double-dipping.  If  I  had  left  immediately,  if  I  had  come 
here  in  January  or  something  of  that  sort,  I  would  have  received 
a  lump  sum  payment  for  60  days.  And  we  reviewed  all  of  the 
records  from  Arkansas,  and  there  is  no  rule  against  what  I  have 
done. 

The  Chadiman.  Ill  just  put  in  the  record  the  letter  from  Jack 
Kress  who,  as  I  said,  also  performed  as  special  counsel  under  the 
previous  administrations.  Ill  put  the  full  letter  in  the  record,  and 
I'll  read  certain  parts. 

"I  therefore  have  a  close  working  familiarity  with  the  practices 
of  two  Cabinet  departments  with  respect  to  incoming  Presidential 
appointees  in  the  Reagan,  Bush  and  Clinton  administrations.'' 

"It  is  to  my  knowledge  common  practice  throughout  the  executive 
branch  for  incoming  Presidential  appointees  to  retain  their  former 
positions  until  such  time  as  they  are  confirmed  by  the  Senate." 

"Prior  to  confirmation,  such  nominees  may,  however,  legally  join 
the  department  in  an  intermittent  consulting  capacity.  Moreover, 
from  the  perspective  of  Federal  law,  there  is  no  impediment  to  the 
receipt  of  payments  by  an  intermittent  consultant  from  that  per- 
son's current  non-Federal  employer,  for  as  long  as  that  person  re- 
mains a  special  Government  employee." 


49 

And  then  it  continues,  "M.  Joycelyn  Elders,  M.D.,  began  service 
as  a  consultant  to  HHS  on  April  18,  1993,  on  approximately  a  2- 
day-a-week  basis  until  July  6,  when  she  began  working  for  HHS 
on  approximately  a  5-day-a-week  basis.  As  of  this  date,  she  has 
been  employed  for  approximately  30  workdays." 

There  is  a  legal  limit  of  130  days. 

Dr.  Elders.  Yes,  sir. 

The  Chairman.  And  this  indicates  that  it  was  30  days — 2  days 
in  the  beginning  and  then,  as  I  understand,  as  these  hearings  were 
announced,  it  became  more  intense. 

Dr.  Elders.  Yes,  sir. 

The  Chakman.  The  historic  background  is  that  when  people  are 
designated  in  the  confirmation  process,  people  sometimes  leave 
their  jobs,  and  they  are  in  somewhat  of  a  hiatus  during  the  con- 
firmation period  and  prior  to  the  time  the  Senate  is  going  to  act. 
And  a  lot  of  people  can't  afford  to  just  be  out  there.  And  it  has  been 
a  time-honored  precedent  to  permit  a  consultant  fee  during  that  pe- 
riod of  time.  That  has  been  done  with  the  other  departments  and 
done  through  other  administrations,  even  in  spite  of  the  fact  that 
you  have  resigned,  and  even  though  you  could  have  been  legally 
absent  because  of  vacation  days  in  that  particular  position. 

Dr.  Elders.  Yes,  sir. 

The  Chairman.  Well,  I  just  want  to  tell  you  we  are  going  through 
probably  one  of  the  slowest  processes — I  am  not  trying  to  lay  tne 
blame  on  that.  I  think  there  is  generally  enough  blame  to  go 
around.  But  it  is  the  slowest  process  that  we  have  seen.  I  am  very 
hopeful  that  we  will  be  able  to  move  you  through  the  process,  but 
there  are  those  who  would  like  to  delay  it  even  further.  I  hope  that 
won't  happen,  but  I  would  think  it  would  be  extremely  difficult  for 
anyone  to  De  able  to  meet  their  own  family  responsibilities  through 
an  extended  process  without  pay. 

Senator  Kassebaum.  Mr.  Chairman,  if  you  would  just  yield  a  mo- 
ment, I  would  just  like  to  note  for  the  record  that  Dr.  Elders'  pa- 
pers did  not  come  to  the  Senate  until  July  1st,  and  then  we  were 
in  a  week's  recess. 

The  Chairman.  That's  fine.  She  was  on  a  2-day-a-week  until  July 
6,  so  it  was  after  the  papers  had  actually  been  sent  up  that  she 
became  closer  to  full  time.  That's  fine.  Thank  you. 

Senator  Simon. 

Senator  Simon.  Thank  you,  Mr.  Chairman. 

We  thank  you.  Dr.  Elders. 

Let  me  enter  into  the  record  the  letter  from  the  American  Medi- 
cal Association,  which  is  anything  but  a  perfunctory  letter  of  en- 
dorsement. It  talks  about  your  exceptional  leadership,  and  it  is  a 
very  strong  letter  of  endorsement. 

The  Chairman.  Without  objection,. 

[The  letter  referred  to  may  be  found  in  the  appendix.] 

Senator  Simon.  Incidentally,  one  of  the  other  things  I  like,  and 
I  hope  you  will  forgive  me — I  heard  Senator  Metzenbaum  whisper 
to  Senator  Dodd  here  a  few  minutes  ago:  "I  think  shell  really 
shake  things  up."  And  I  think  you  will.  That  is  what  we  need, 
someone  who  is  willing  to  go  out  and  do  the  courageous  thing. 

Another  thing  I  like  is  that  you  have  been  working  on  the  pre- 
vention side.  And  you  mentioned  the  school  with  a  57  percent  teen- 


50 

age  pregnancy  rate.  One  of  the  criticisms  Senator  Metzenbaum 
mentioned  was  that  at  one  time,  some  of  the  clinics  where  condoms 
were  distributed,  they  were  defective. 

Dr.  Elders.  Yes,  sir. 

Senator  Simon.  How  do  you  respond  to  that  particular  criticism? 

Dr.  Elders.  Senator,  what  happened  was  that  we  had  approxi- 
mately 10  instances  from  four  clinics  in  our  health  department  that 
reported  that  they  had  had  some  breakage.  It  was  10  different 
condoms  from  four  different  clinics.  So  we  pulled  a  batch  of 
condoms,  and  we  called  the  FDA,  and  we  reported  it.  So  the  FDA 
came  in  and  picked  up  the  condoms  and  did  preliminary  testing, 
or  the  testing  that  they  do,  and  found  that  the  condoms  were  defec- 
tive, that  95  percent  of  them — I  think  what  is  allowed  is  four 
breaks  per  1,000,  and  what  they  were  finding  was  five  breaks  per 
100,  which  meant  that  that  was  a  very  high  Breakage  rate.  So  the 
FDA  pulled  the  condoms,  notified  the  company,  and  was  going  to 
do  a  seize  order.  The  company  voluntarily  agreed  to  pick  up  their 
own  condoms,  and  they  were  sending  us  a  different  strength  or  a 
different  kind  of  condom.  So  it  was  looked  into,  and  we  were  con- 
cerned about  the  second  batch  of  condoms.  Again,  the  FDA  looked 
into  it,  and  then  I  think  we  went  to  buying  condoms  from  a  dif- 
ferent company. 

So  I  think  the  talk  now  is,  well,  why  didn't  we,  I  guess,  notify 
the  world.  And  our  feeling  was  that  we  had  reported  it  to  the  FDA, 
and  the  FDA  was  doing  the  things  that  they  usually  do  in  this  re- 
gard, and  the  agreement  was  that  there  had  been  more  breakages, 
we  were  having  real  trouble  with  getting  our  people  all  over  to  use 
condoms,  and  we  felt  that  many  of  our  young  men  felt  that,  well, 
they'll  break,  so  they  are  no  good — and  rather  than  having  a  great, 
big  fervor  about  it,  I  think  the  decision  was  made  at  the  staff  level 
that  what  we  would  do  is  just  let  the  FDA  handle  it  in  the  way 
they  usually  handle  it,  and  not  go  out  and  make  a  public  announce- 
ment. And  I  think  that  is  probably  what — and  they  discussed  it 
with  me  later,  and  I  concurred  in  that.  I  felt  that  as  a  public  health 
official,  I  was  thinking  of  what  was  the  greatest  good,  I  guess.  And 
sometimes  we  really  have  to  make  tough  decisions.  And  you  might 
say,  well,  I  made  the  wrong  decision.  I  don't  know.  But  it  was  the 
Department  of  Health  that  reported  to  the  FDA,  and  it  was  their 
response  back,  and  I  think  we  all  agree  on  it.  The  Department  of 
Health  in  Arkansas  could  not  keep  the  FDA  from  making  a  report, 
but  they  worked  with  the  company,  and  we  felt  that  it  was  worked 
out. 

Senator  Simon.  I  thank  you. 

In  connection  with  teenage  pregnancies,  you  also  mentioned  that 
poor  children  are  three  times  more  likely  to  have  pregnancies.  My 
hope  is  that  while  the  area  of  poverty  is  not  your  primary  respon- 
sibility, I  hope  you  will  continue  to  get  that  message  out,  because 
as  more  and  more  of  our  children  are  poor,  we  in  fact  are 
compounding  all  of  the  problems  in  our  society. 

Dr.  Elders.  Senator,  that  is  exactly  correct,  and  if  they  are  poor 
and  not  doing  well  in  school — if  they  are  poor,  they  are  far  more 
likely  to  be  at  the  bottom  of  the  class  and  not  doing  well  in  school; 
I  think  we  all  know  that — but  if  they  are  poor  and  not  doing  well 
in  school,  they  are  nine  times  more  likely  to  be  a  teen  parent. 


51 

Senator  Dodd.  Would  my  colleague  yield  just  on  that  one  point? 

Senator  Simon.  I  will  be  pleased  to  yield. 

Senator  Dodd.  Yesterday,  we  asked  for  a  General  Accounting  Of- 
fice study  done  on  that,  and  while  the  population  of  3-  and  4-year 
old  children  since  1980  increased  by  16  percent,  the  number  of  poor 
children  of  that  age  in  this  country  in  the  same  period  increased 
by  28  percent.  The  numbers  are  running  in  all  the  wrong  direc- 
tions. 

I  apologize  for  interrupting. 

Senator  SlMON.  No;  you  simply  reinforce  that. 

Two  of  your  predecessors,  Dr.  Elders,  have  issued  warning  about 
television  violence. 

Dr.  Elders.  Yes,  sir. 

Senator  Simon.  They  did  that  after  the  National  Institute  of 
Mental  Health  had  studies  on  two  occasions  saying  violence  on  tel- 
evision is  adding  to  violence  in  our  society. 

My  hope  is  tnat  you  will  continue  to  follow  this  area,  where  I 
think  we  are  starting  to  make  a  little  bit  of  progress,  but  frankly, 
we  need  all  the  help  and  attention  we  can  give  it. 

Dr.  Elders.  Senator,  you  know  I  feel  very  strongly  about  this 
area  and  about  the  area  of  violence.  "One  of  the  things  that  bothers 
me  so  greatly  is  that  it  is  so  much  higher  in  young  black  men — 
the  guns,  the  death.  In  fact,  it  is  several-fold  higher  in  young  black 
men.  And  when  I  think  of  the  fact  that  only  one  out  of  five  of  our 
young  black  men  will  ever  grow  up  and  earn  enough  money  to  raise 
a  family;  two  out  of  five  will  be  lost  to  drugs  and  alcohol;  one  out 
of  the  five  will  be  killed  through  violence,  black-on-black  crime;  and 
one  out  of  the  five  will  be  in  prison — we  have  more  young  black 
men  in  prison,  Senator,  than  we  have  in  college — to  me,  that  is  a 
real  tragedy. 

Senator  Simon.  No  question.  And  it  is  a  preventable  tragedy. 

Dr.  Elders.  A  preventable  tragedy. 

Senator  Simon.  That  is  the  real  key,  and  we  have  to  save  our 

Dr.  Elders.  So  you  have  my  commitment  that  I  will  certainly  be 
working,  trying  to  reduce  violence. 

Senator  SIMON.  In  that  connection,  you  also  mentioned  weapons. 
And  again,  that  is  usually  not  considered  part  of  the  jurisdiction 
of  the  Surgeon  General.  But  I  hope  you  are  willing  to  shake  things 
up  here  also,  and  tell  us  if  you  agree  that  something  ought  to  be 
done  about  the  proliferation  of  weapons  in  our  society. 

Dr.  Elders.  Yes,  sir. 

Senator  Simon.  Do  you  have  an  opinion  on  that? 

Dr.  Elders.  I  agree  with  what  you  have  said.  We  have  got  to 
find  a  way  to  be  able  to  begin  to  deal  with  guns,  knives.  I  was  in 
Kansas  City,  and  they  asked  the  students,  If  you  were  given  $1 
million,  what  you  would  you  buy  for  your  school  if  you  could  buy 
anything  you  wanted?"  And  it  was  so  sad  to  me  when  they  said 
that  they  would  buy  a  metal  detector  so  they  could  feel  safe  in 
their  schools. 

Senator  Simon.  That  is  a  real  comment  on  where  we  are. 

You  mentioned  drugs.  We  now  spend  about  three-quarters  of  our 
drug  enforcement  money  at  the  Federal  level  on  the  police  side.  We 
spend  one-fourth  on  education  and  treatment.  And  if  you  were  to 
add  incarceration,  that  probably  goes  up  to  98  percent. 


52 

We  have  been  trying  to  solve  the  drug  problem  by  putting  people 
into  prison.  In  1980,  we  had  134  people  per  100,000  in  our  prisons. 
Today,  we  have  455  per  100,000— far  more  than  any  other  country. 
South  Africa  is  second  with  311. 

Dr.  Elders.  That's  correct. 

Senator  Simon.  Canada  has  109. 

Dr.  Elders.  That's  correct. 

Senator  Simon.  Obviously,  a  major  public  health  problem  is  the 
problem  of  addiction,  not  simply  to  drugs,  but  also  to  alcohol.  What 
are  your  observations?  Do  we  need  to  get  a  better  balance  in  what 
we  are  doing  in  this  area  of  reducing  drug  addiction? 

Dr.  Elders.  Senator,  I  certainly  very  strongly  feel  that  we  have 
got  to  look  at  a  different  way.  And  of  course,  I  nave  always  felt  that 
we  have  drug  education,  AIDS  education,  but  they  are  all  separate 
programs,  with  different  funding  strains,  with  different  people 
going  in  to  talk  about  it  as  if  they  were  all  separate  and  different — 
drugs,  AIDS,  sexuality,  and  so  on.  But  many  times,  they  are  part 
and  parcel  of  the  same  problem  rather  than  multiple  problems. 

I  feel  that  we  have  got  to  start  early,  Senator,  educating  our  chil- 
dren. Maybe  yours  are  doing  fine  or  don't  need  the  education,  but 
there  are  many  children  born  into  single-family  households  who  do 
not  have  the  opportunity  to  have  the  whole  comprehensive  health 
education  programs  that  they  need  in  order  to  make  a  difference. 

I  feel  that  we  need  to  look,  and  I  think  we  are  beginning  to  look, 
at  how  can  we  consolidated  all  of  these  programs  to  really  make 
them  a  part  of  our  school  system  so  that  we  can  have  a  comprehen- 
sive program  to  start  early  and  make  a  difference  in  the  lives  of 
children,  so  that  they  can  make  a  decision.  That  is  not  to  say  I  am 
leaving  out  the  older  ones,  but  I  feel  if  we  don't  begin  to  address 
some  of  the  problems  early  and  make  it  continuous,  we  are  just 
going  to  continue  to  add  more  and  more  people  onto  the  fire. 

So  I  very  strongly  support  looking  at  the  programs  as  a  com- 
prehensive one  ratner  than  a  single  entity,  including  violence  and 
all  the  things  we  talk  about;  we  have  got  to  teach  our  children  how 
to  deal  with  violence  with  means  other  than  weapons. 

Senator  Simon.  My  time  is  about  up,  but  that  means  also  not 
only  the  education,  which  you  have  just  stressed  in  your  answer, 
but  having  treatment  available  for  people. 

Dr.  Elders.  Absolutely. 

Senator  Simon.  In  one  State,  people  have  to  now  wait  9  months 
to  get  treatment  for  drug  addiction.  That  is  just  social  dynamite. 

Dr.  Elders.  That's  right.  I  was  very  pleased — you  were  talking 
about  working  with  groups — I  was  very  pleased  with  a  judge  down 
in  Arkansas  who  had  looked  at  alternate  methods  of  handling  prob- 
lems, rather  than,  when  they  do  something,  you  put  them  in  jail. 
What  this  judge  did  was  he  got  the  health  department,  the  voca- 
tional education  department,  and  using  the  police  system,  all  of 
these  were  organized  together,  and  for  these  young  people,  he  com- 
mitted them — if  they  didn't  have  an  education,  they  had  to  get 
their  G.E.D.;  if  they  were  having  drug  problems,  they  had  to  come 
in  every  day  to  work  on  that  problem  and  to  really  learn 
parenting— or  whatever  their  problems  were.  And  it  did  not  cost  us 
any  more  money.  He  iust  pulled  us  all  together,  all  the  resources 
that  were  there,  available  in  his  county,  to  begin  to  address  the 


53 

needs  of  the  people  that  he  had,  which  were  costing  him  a  fortune 
in  jail. 

Senator  Simon.  Dr.  Elders,  I  think  the  Nation  is  fortunate  to 
have  you  in  that  chair  right  now. 

Dr.  Elders.  Thank  you,  Senator. 

Senator  Simon.  Thank  you. 

Thank  you,  Mr.  Chairman. 

The  Chairman.  Senator  Durenberger. 

Senator  Durenberger.  Mr.  Chairman,  thank  you. 

Let  me  begin  first  by  thanking  the  chair  and  especially  the  rank- 
ing member  for  the  way  this  morning  was  handled.  I  think  it  was 
obviously  a  difficult  situation  for  everyone  here,  including  you  as 
the  nominee,  and  I  appreciate  the  way  both  of  them  handled  it. 

I  would  also  like — you  may  not  agree  with  all  this — but  I  want 
to  compliment  my  friend  from  Indiana.  I  have  gotten  to  know  him 
pretty  well,  and  I  hope  you  do,  too,  over  time.  You  are  not  going 
to  find  anyone,  even  on  this  committee,  as  committed  as  he  is  to 
children  to  families  and  the  things  that  you  are  committed  to,  and 
I  do  hope  that  you  will  take  the  time  to  get  to  know  him  as  well 
as  some  of  the  rest  of  us  do. 

I  certainly  welcome  you  to  this  town.  I  don't  know  how  long  you 
are  going  to  enjoy  it.  It  doesn't  get  much  better  than  this  right 
now.  [Laughter.] 

Dr.  Elders.  Please.  [Laughter.] 

Senator  Durenberger.  But  I  want  to  remind  everybody  of  what 
you  already  know,  that  Dr.  Elders  spent  most  of  her  life  in  Arkan- 
sas, but  she  spent  a  whole  year  in  Minnesota,  and  they  haven't  for- 
gotten her.  Her  professor  at  the  University  of  Minnesota,  where 
she  was  a  pediatric  intern,  is  a  fellow  by  the  name  of  Bill  Krivit, 
and  we  called  BUI  to  find  out  how  he  would  characterize  Dr.  El- 
ders, and  he  said  you  are  "the  most  forthright,  forthcoming,  and 
helpful  resident"  that  he  has  had  for  many  years.  The  word  ^forth- 
right" is  particularly  important  in  that  it  is  a  personality  trait  that 
you  have  obviously  had  all  your  life,  and  it  is  reflected  in  so  many 
things.  "Plainspeaking''  might  be  another  way  to  put  it. 
Plainspeaking  is  what  seems  to  get  too  many  people  in  trouble 
these  days,  and  that  is  perhaps  one  of  the  reasons  that,  at  least 
from  my  constituency  so  far,  I  had  received  as  of  the  end  of  last 
week  2,600-some  telephone  calls;  2,100  thought  you  were  too 
plainspeaking,  and  500  supported  you. 

But  because  of  my  affection  for  "Doc"  Koop  and  because  of  the 
challenge  that  you  are  taking  on,  I  have  discovered  if  you  look  in 
history  that  the  Surgeon  General  is  a  fairly  controversial, 
plainspeaking,  forthright  kind  of  a  position.  I  discovered  that  John 
Adams  appointed  the  first  prototype  Surgeon  General,  a  doctor 
from  Philadelphia  by  the  name  of  Benjamin  Waterhouse,  and  he 
got  into  all  kinds  of  trouble  with  traditional  medicine,  because  he 
was  doing  things  for  kids  like  you  are  talking  about  doing  now. 

Tom  Jefferson  could  tolerate  him,  even  though  he  was  a  pain  to 
the  predecessor  of  the  American  Medical  Association,  but  the  Presi- 
dent who  came  after  Tom  Jefferson  couldn't  take  the  heat  and  fired 
him. 

There  is  a  whole  history  of  Surgeons  General.  Dr.  Thomas  Parrin 
in  the  thirties  was  FDR's  Surgeon  General,  and  he  sought  to  edu- 


54 

cate  the  American  public  about  syphilis  and  gonorrhea  and  how 
they  are  transmitted — and  all  that  stuff  we  weren't  supposed  to 
talk  about  in  his  day. 

Dr.  Leonard  Sheel  made  the  crucial  decisions  about  the  polio  vac- 
cine. Dr.  Luther  Terry  launched  the  history-making  study  on  the 
connection  between  smoking  and  health — terribly  controversial. 
And  obviously,  one  of  our  most  forthright  Surgeons  General  is,  I 
guess,  our  friend  Dr.  Koop.  And  as  my  friend  from  Kansas  men- 
tioned this  morning,  you  think  you've  got  it  bad;  this  guy  was 
asked  to  come  onboard  in  January  1981,  and  he  didn't  get  sworn 
in  until  January  of  1982  out  at  Fort  McNair.  And  if  you  just  want 
to  read  about  20  pages  of  this  book,  you'll  find  out  why. 

Dr.  Elders.  He  sent  me  his  book. 

Senator  Dureneerger.  And  I  don't  want  to  take  this  out  on  you, 
but  my  friends  in  the  American  Public  Health  Association  and  my 
friends  in  the  American  Medical  Association  and  our  friends  in  all 
of  these  associations  went  after  him.  They  called  him  incompetent. 
That  was  the  big  charge  against  him,  that  he  was  incompetent  to 
handle  his  job.  They  didn't  have  the  guts  to  say  he  didn't  like  what 
he  said  when  he  was  being  plainspeaking  and  forthright,  so  they 
called  him  incompetent.  Ana  one  of  these  associations  said,  'The 
only  reason  we  are  here  testifying  in  front  of  the  Labor  Committee 
is  because  the  man  is  incompetent" 

Well,  within  a  couple  years,  they  were  giving  him  awards  for  his 
forthrightness  and  for  his  plainspeaking. 

So  clearly,  one  of  the  difficulties  we  have  in  American  today  is 
sorting  out  our  heroes  ahead  of  time.  And  that  is  really  the  chal- 
lenge that  we  continually  get  presented  with  here.  You  are  obvi- 
ously a  hero  to  a  lot  of  people  who  are  here.  On  the  other  hand, 
there  are  many  people  here  who  don't  know  you  as  well  as  I  would 
like  you  to  get  to  know,  like  Dan  Coats,  who  have  a  very,  very  dif- 
ferent opinion.  And  then  there  are  some  people  who  are  sort  of  in 
between,  because  that's  a  place  where  a  lot  of  us  have  to  be,  be- 
cause we  are  responsible  for  making  the  policy,  and  you  are  respon- 
sible for  implementing  it;  but  you  are  also  responsible  for  calling 
our  attention  to  the  things  that  we  are  not  paying  attention  to. 
That  seems  to  be  the  history  of  the  office  of  the  Surgeon  General. 
But  this  is  a  difficult  time  in  which  to  do  it. 

I  once  had  an  experience  with  Dr.  Koop  that  just  told  me  so 
much  about  him.  And  I  am  taking  the  time  to  do  this 

Dr.  Elders.  I  appreciate  that. 

Senator  Durenberger.  — because  I  am  just  guessing  how  you 
might  feel  under  the  present  circumstances  with  all  of  this  public- 
ity, and  people  down  in  Arkansas  going  through  every,  single  little 
record,  and  all  that  sort  of  thing.  But  this  guy  had  it  for  a  whole 
year.  They  dragged  him  over  to  the  House  of  Representatives,  and 
Henry  Waxman  was  going  to  hang  him  up  there  because  the  public 
health  folks  said,  'We  don't  want  this  guy  around  here." 

But  I'll  tell  you  a  little  story  that  happened  that  I  was  involved 
in  with  Dr.  Koop  a  couple  of  my  colleagues,  right  in  the  beginning 
of  the  AIDS  problem — and  again,  this  is  the  man  who  did  a  lot  to 
call  it  to  our  attention. 

We  got  into  a  discussion  with  a  little  group,  and  they  were  giving 
him  a  hard  time  for  talking  about  condoms,  and  sex  education  in 


55 

the  schools,  and  things  like  that.  We  argued  this  issue  for  about 
an  hour  and  a  half,  and  finally  he  said,  "Look,  we've  got  100,000 
priests  and  ministers  in  this  country,  but  we've  got  only  one  Sur- 
geon General,  and  at  some  point  in  time  I  have  got  to  do  what  I 
believe  is  the  right  thing  to  do."  He  does  not  change  his  view  on 
some  of  the  behavior  in  this  country.  I  walked  out  of  a  meeting 
with  300  AIDS  activists  with  him  once,  in  which  he  said,  "My  job 
is  to  give  them  some  hope  without  condoning  some  of  their  behav- 
ior that  created  that  problem."  Boy,  what  a  tough  job.  What  a 
tough  assignment. 

Now,  I  have  to  believe  that  Bill  Clinton  knows  you  better  than 
any  of  the  rest  of  us  and  that  President  Clinton  has  seen  you  in 
action.  And  it  is  hard  for  us  to  prove  by  the  record  in  Arkansas  or 
whatever  it  is,  because  we  don't  know  Arkansas  the  way  you  do. 
So  when  it  gets  right  down  to  it,  we  have  to  believe  that  he  knows 
you  well  enough  to  know  that  you  are  able  to  do  the  kinds  of  things 
that  have  to  te  done — not  just  because  you  want  them  done  or 
something  like  that,  but  because  they  need  to  be  done  for  this 
country. 

I  really  do  want  to  appeal  to  you,  though,  because  the  same  issue 
that  hung  him  up  for  a  year  is  still  hanging  us  up,  and  because 
you  are  a  physician  by  profession,  I  want  to  give  one  little  liner 
from  Hippocrates  2,000  years  ago:  "Healing  is  a  matter  of  time,  but 
it  is  sometimes  also  a  matter  of  opportunity." 

We  don't  have  a  lot  of  time  from  what  I  can  tell  in  this  country. 
You  pointed  that  out  with  everything  you  said  about  what  you  see 
in  kids  and  what  you  see  and  don't  see  in  families  and  the  impact 
of  that.  I  don't  think  we've  got  a  lot  of  time  in  this  country,  and 
we  need  a  lot  of  healing. 

This  morning,  I  think  you  added  to  your  printed  comments.  You 
were  talking  about  drugs  and  alcohol,  social  problems,  that  these 
are  really  psychosocial  problems,  I  think,  in  our  communities — 
drugs,  alcohol,  violence,  homicide,  suicide,  AIDS,  teenage  preg- 
nancy— and  then  you  added,  "while  we  argue  over  whose  values  to 
teach."  I'd  like  you  to  explain  that  a  little  bit,  because  my  sense 
is  that  we  do  have  to  search  for  some  values,  and  we  have  to  try 
to  find  the  values  that  we  all  have  in  common  rather  than  the 
manifestations  of  those  that  seem  to  drive  us  apart  all  the  time. 
But  by  the  same  token — and  you  and  I  have  discussed  this — we 
spend  far  too  much  time  arguing  about  programs  and  pro- 
grammatic solutions  and  categorizing  people  so  we  can  put  them  in 
a  program,  and  authorize  it  and  appropriate  some  money,  and  we 
are  hanging  them  up  with  regulations  out  there.  And  we  have 
talked  about  co-location  of  schools,  clinics,  and  you  talk  about  get- 
ting us  back  to  community.  Maybe  you  can  tell  us  how  we  can  get 
back  to  community.  This  place  right  here  thinks  it  has  an  answer 
to  every  community  problem,  but  this  is  not  a  community.  This  is 
not  Hope  or  whatever  little  town  you  may  have  come  from,  or  Lake 
Wobegon,  where  I  come  from.  The  best  we  can  do  is  enact  one  pol- 
icy that  applies  to  39,000  different  jurisdictions,  and  that  doesn't 
get  down  to  the  heart  of  these  problems.  So  would  you  explain 
what  you  meant  by  "while  we  all  debate  values,"  and  what  do  you 
think  about  how  do  we  get  at  these  community  problems,  and  isn't 
it  maybe  someplace  other  than  right  here  in  this  room? 


56 

Dr.  Elders.  Yes.  Well,  Senator,  obviously,  if  I  had — well,  even  if 
I  had  the  magic  answer,  probably  you'd  have  to  be  able  to  sell  that 
answer,  even  if  it  were  right,  to  everybody  out  there.  But  I  have 
seen  a  real  change  in  this  country  over  the  past  5  years,  and  I  have 
been  to  Minnesota,  and  I  have  been  to  Indiana,  and  I  really  feel 
that  now  people  are  reaching  out  and  beginning  to  think  that  we 
can't  keep  trying  to  fix  problems;  we  have  got  to  reach  out  and  pre- 
vent problems.  And  whereas  many  people  say,  "I  don't  want  that 
teacher  teaching  my  child;  I  want  to  teach  him  myself,"  I  think 
that  may  be  fine  for  all  the  people  sitting  in  this  room,  but  we 
know  that  there  are  a  lot  of  people  who  are  not  sitting  in  this  room, 
who  need  schools  to  help  them.  We  all  want  our  children  to  do  well. 
Many  people  have  told  me,  "Dr.  Elders,  let  the  church  do  it."  My 
brother,  who  is  here,  is  a  minister,  but  we  know  that  52  percent 
of  the  children  in  America  are  unchurched;  they  don't  go  to  any- 
body's church.  We  know  the  children  who  go  to  church  and  who 
have  values  really  do  well.  But  that's  not  true  for  all  children,  and 
we  have  got  to  find  a  way  to  reach  all  children.  And  schools  are 
the  only  institution  I  know  where  all  the  children  go.  I  feel  that 
if  we  are  going  to  make  education  and  primary  preventive  health 
services  equitable,  Senator,  the  best  place  we've  got  is  schools. 
They  are  available,  they  are  accessible  to  the  children,  they  are  af- 
fordable— they  are  far  cheaper  than  anything  else — and  they  are 
age-appropriate. 

Certainly,  in  Arkansas,  we  can  start  arguing  about  the  condom 
issue  and  the  abortion  issue  and  everything  else,  rather  than  argu- 
ing about  how  can  we  provide  primary  preventive  health  services 
for  all  of  our  children;  how  can  we  educate  them.  And  I  feel  the 
only  way  we  can  do  that  is  through  schools.  You  know,  having  peo- 
ple pop  in  on  Thursday  once  a  year  to  talk  about  drugs,  Senator, 
I  don't  feel  will  answer  the  problems.  We  have  got  to  have  it  as  a 
part  of  the  curriculum,  and  it  has  got  to  be  taught  every  day,  rein- 
forced by  what  the  teachers  do,  wnat  they  say,  and  it  has  got  to 
be  reinforced  in  our  churches,  it  has  got  to  be  reinforced  by  all  the 
people  in  our  community.  It  has  got  to  be  a  community  commit- 
ment for  us  to  save  our  Nation.  And  Senator,  from  the  things  that 
we  have  done  in  Arkansas,  and  I  have  seen  from  community  com- 
mitment— I  saw  the  NBC  affiliate  give  every  PSA  they  had  to  teen 
pregnancy  in  Arkansas.  They  won  an  Oscar  or  an  Emmy,  and  they 
were  running  around  all  over  the  country,  picking  up  their  awards 
for  what  they  had  done.  They  did  a  wonderful  iob  of  making  people 
in  Arkansas  aware  of  the  problems.  So  I  think  once  we  make  our 
people  aware  of  the  problems,  Senator,  they  will  do  it.  Thank  you. 

Senator  Durenberger.  Thanks.  I  just  got  handed  my  note.  I 
really  appreciate  your  response,  and  I  appreciate  your  willingness 
to  share  what  is  inside  of  you,  not"  just  up  here,  as  we've  gotten  to- 
gether. 

And  I  must,  in  my  concluding  minute  or  whatever-it  is,  just  urge 
on  you,  then,  that  your  plainspeaking  and  your  forthrightness  be 
inside  this  administration  and  across  the  board  as  well  as  outside 
of  it. 

And  I  agree  with  you  about  schools,  but  at  the  rate  we  are  going 
in  school  reform,  we  aren't  going  anywhere;  we  aren't  going  to 
make  it — unless  communities  can  take  back  those  schools  in  some 


57 

way  and  make  every  one  of  them  respond  to  the  needs  of  that  par- 
ticular community.  And  school  choice,  and  whatever  else  we  may 
call  it,  and  outcome-based  education— things  that  some  of  us  really 
believe  in — but  there  are  too  many  institutional  barriers  that  keep 
getting  in  the  way  of  people  making  choice  and  giving  people  oppor- 
tunities to  do  things  differently. 

The  same  thing  is  true  with  a  really  successful  program  like  the 
MCH  block  grant  program. 

Dr.  Elders.  Yes,  sir;  a  very  successful  program. 

Senator  Durenberger.  We  have  got  to  get  more  funding.  I 
mean,  we  are  funding  in  the  same  condition  we  are  with  Pell 
Grants  on  MCH,  and  it  is  one  of  the  things  that  works  so  well.  And 
I  have  appealed  to  you,  and  I  will  just  repeat  that  appeal,  to  ask 
the  President,  who  has  been  a  Governor  for  the  last  12  years,  to 
consider  the  possibility  of  having  us  federalize  the  approach  to  ac- 
cess to  medical  services  and  let  us  in  America  take  back  our  com- 
munities and  take  back  that  responsibility  away  from  all  of  the 
Erograms  that  come  out  of  this  wonderful  committee — let's  take  it 
ack  and  start  bringing  the  churches  together,  lef  s  bring  the  peo- 
ple together,  let's  bring  the  volunteers  together  in  the  national 
service  and  the  community  service  and  all  the  rest,  and  get  off  our 
sort  of  categorical,  programmatic  horse,  and  let's  get  down  and  deal 
with  those  problems  the  way  they  need  to  be  dealt  with. 

Thank  you. 

Dr.  Elders.  Thank  you,  Senator. 

The  Chairman.  We  are  going  to  have  Senator  Mikulski,  Senator 
WofFord,  and  then  take  a  break,  if  that's  agreeable. 

Senator  Mdxulski.  Senator  Kennedy,  Senator  Wofford  has  ap- 

Frised  me  that  he  has  to  catch  a  plane  to  Pittsburgh.  As  you  know, 
only  have  to  hop  in  a  car  to  drive  to  Baltimore.  So  Fd  be  happy 
to  yield  to  Senator  Wofford  and  then  follow  after  him. 

The  Chairman.  Pine. 

Senator  Wofford.  Just  for  less  than  5-minutes,  Mr.  Chairman. 

The  Chairman.  Pine.  Take  your  time. 

Senator  Wofford.  It  is  good  to  see  you  again,  Dr.  Elders. 

Dr.  Elders.  Thank  you,  Senator. 

Senator  Wofford.  I  appreciated  everything  you  said  before  with 
me,  and  today — and  Senator  Durenberger,  thank  you  for  arming 
me  well  for  my  days  in  Pennsylvania  with  the  words  about  Ben 
Waterhouse,  appointed  by  Thomas  Jefferson,  who  was  controver- 
sial, too.  I  don't  agree  with  all  of  Dr.  Elders'  statements  in  the  past, 
nor  with  very  few  other  people's  statements,  and  not  necessarily  al- 
ways with  all  of  my  own  statements  of  the  past.  [Laughter.]  But 
I  find  that  to  be  the  case  almost  always  with  people  who  are 
straight-talking  and  independent-minded. 

And  as  an  advocate  of  health  care  reform  night  and  day,  I  most 
of  all  want  a  Surgeon  General  who  will  forcefully  and  passionately 
carry  the  message  of  good  health  to  the  Nation.  And  from  what  we 
have  seen  and  heard  from  you  and  what  you  have  done  in  your  life, 
I  am  sure  you  are  going  to  be  that  kind  of  an  Surgeon  General. 

I  especially  welcomed  your  commitment  to  prevention,  your 
statements  that  if  confirmed,  you  will  make  your  utmost  goal  the 
education  of  our  people,  all  of  our  people,  on  how  to  stay  healthy. 
As  you  recognizee!  this  morning,  it  is  not  enough  to  just  reform  the 


58 

health  care  system*  we  will  never  have  a  large  enough  budget  to 
address  all  the  health  care  needs  of  our  citizens  if  we  do  not  start 
thinking  prevention  and  taking  personal  responsibility  for  our 
lives— bravo. 

I  also  appreciated  your  thoughts  related  to  our  national  service 
debate  before  the  Senate,  that  young  people  need  to  be  engaged  in 
other  activities  that  lift  their  sights  and  give  them  adventure  and 
give  them  a  chance  to  be  productive  and  contribute. 

So  from  everything  I  have  heard  today,  I  am  encouraged  you  are 
going  to  give  the  kind  of  leadership  we  need. 

I  would  like  to  put  my  full  statement  in  the  record  and  also  put 
in  the  record  the  excellent  long  editorial  in  support  of  you  by  one 
of  our  State's  most  principled  and  conservative  newspapers,  the 
Greensburg  Tribune  Review,  its  editorial  of  July  21,  1993,  asking 
the  Senate  to  confirm  you,  which  I  will  do,  too,  when  it  comes  be- 
fore the  Senate. 

Thank  you. 

[The  prepared  statement  of  Senator  Wofford  follows:] 

Prepared  Statement  of  Senator  Wofford 

Dr.  Elders  comes  before  us  well  qualified  to  serve  as  Surgeon 
General.  She  is  a  pediatrician,  a  public  health  official  ana  re- 
searcher and  writer  on  issues  concerning  child  growth  and  develop- 
ment who  is  recognized  by  her  peers  as  one  of  our  Nation's  most 
effective  public  health  officials.  Her  list  of  supporters  for  this  nomi- 
nation include  medical  and  public  health  professionals  and  associa- 
tions that  include  former  Surgeon  General  C.  Everett  Koop,  the 
American  Medical  Association,  the  National  Medical  Association, 
the  American  Nurses  Association,  and  the  American  Academy  of 
Pediatricians. 

Dr.  Elders  has  been  criticized  for  some  of  the  statements  she  has 
made  and  positions  she  has  taken  as  the  Director  of  Arkansas 
Health  Department.  I  do  not  agree  with  all  of  Dr.  Elders'  positions 
or  statements,  but  I  find  this  often  to  be  the  case  with  people  who 
are  straight-talking  and  independent-minded.  I  particularly  wel- 
come Dr.  Elders'  commitment  to  prevention,  and  her  statements 
this  morning  that  if  confirmed  she  will  make  her  "utmost  goal^the 
education  of  our  people,  all  our  people,  on  how  to  stay  healthy."  As 
she  recognized  this  morning;  "it  is  not  enough  to  just  reform  the 
health  care  system.  We  will  never  have  a  large  enough  budget  to 
address  all  the  health  care  needs  of  our  citizens  if  we  do  not  start 
thinking  prevention  and  taking  personal  responsibility  for  our 
health. 

As  an  advocate  of  health  care  reform  I  believe  we  need  a  Surgeon 
General  who  will  forcefully  and  passionately  carry  the  message  of 
good  health  to  the  Nation.  From  what  I  have  seen  of  Dr.  Elders 
and  what  I  know  of  her  background  and  achievements,  I  believe 
she  will  be  such  a  Surgeon  General. 

I  would  like  to  insert  in  the  record  an  editorial  in  support  of  Dr. 
Elders'  nomination  that  appeared  in  the  July  21,  1993  issue  of  the 
Greensburg  Tribune-Recora,  one  of  Pennsylvania's  principled  con- 
servative newspapers. 

[The  editorial  referred  to  may  be  found  in  the  appendix.] 

The  Chairman.  Thank  you  very  much. 


59 

Senator  Wofford.  Thank  you.  Senator  Mikulski. 

The  Chairman.  Senator  Mikulski. 

Senator  Mikulskl  Mr.  Chairman,  I  am  an  enthusiastic  sup- 
porter of  this  nominee.  My  three  criteria  for  support  for  a  nomina- 
tion are:  competence  in  the  field  for  which  someone  is  nominated: 
second,  a  longstanding  history  of  service  to  the  community;  and 
third,  a  vision  for  the  future.  I  believe  that  Dr.  Elders  qualifies  on 
all  three  of  those  criteria. 

I  would  like  to  have  consent  to  have  my  statement  which  I  was 

f>ing  to  give  at  the  beginning  of  the  hearing  included  in  the  record, 
know  that  the  chairman  will  give  me  unanimous  consent,  so  well 
put  that  in.  It  is  the  only  unanimous  consent  I  get  out  of  this  hear- 
ing. Dr.  Elders. 
The  Chairman.  Without  objection. 

[The  prepared  statement  of  Senators  Mikulski  and  Wellstone  fol- 
low:] 

Prepared  Statement  of  Senator  Mikulski 

Mr.  President,  I  am  very  pleased  to  express  my  full  support  for 
the  nomination  of  Dr.  Joycelyn  Elders  to  be  Surgeon  General  of  the 
United  States.  I  cannot  think  of  a  more  qualified  choice  to  protect 
the  health  of  the  American  public. 

Mr.  President,  Dr.  Elders  has  a  long  and  distinguished  record  of 
achievement  that  makes  her  very  qualified  to  Decome  the  top 
health  official  in  the  United  States. 

I  am  not  sure  how  many  people  are  aware  that  Dr.  Elders  career 
in  public  health  began  as  a  commissioned  officer  in  the  U.S.  Army. 

She  served  her  country  for  4  years — staying  1  year  beyond  her 
original  obligation. 

During  those  4  years,  she  worked  as  a  physical  therapist  at 
Brooke  Army  Medical  Center  to  try  to  make  up  for  a  shortage  of 
physical  therapists  at  that  time. 

Dr.  Elder's  military  service  not  only  gave  her  the  opportunity  to 
serve  her  country — it  gave  her  an  opportunity  she  otherwise 
wouldn't  have  had — to  go  to  medical  school.  Like  so  many  Ameri- 
cans at  that  time,  she  earned  a  GI  bill.  And  that  GI  bill  paid  her 
way  through  medical  school. 

Now  that's  what  this  country  is  all  about.  You  help  America  and 
America  helps  you.  Dr.  Elders  helped  veterans  to  get  well  and  on 
with  their  lives.  And  as  a  veteran — I  would  say  our  Veteran  of  the 
Year — she  went  on  to  fight  new  wars  against  disease  and  poverty. 

Dr.  Elders  had  a  vision  of  a  future  few  women  of  her  generation 
could  imagine:  to  be  a  doctor. 

She  told  me  when  we  spoke  last  week  that  it  was  during  her 
time  in  service  to  this  country  that  going  to  medical  school  really 
became  a  dream  for  her.  And  how  lucky  we  are.  Because  it  was  in 
medical  school  where  she  began  to  "focus  on  what  has  become  her 
great  compassion  and  life's  work — to  improve  the  health  of  this  Na- 
tion's children. 

That's  why  she  became  a  pediatrician. 

Dr.  Elders  is  a  special  kind  of  pediatrician.  She  is  a  pediatrician 
with  perspective.  While  she  treated  one  child  at  a  time  in  her  doc- 
tor's office,  she  was  developing  a  plan  to  help  all  children,  espe- 
cially poor  and  minority  children  be  healthy. 


60 

She  has  shown  that  in  her  20  year  clinical  practice  career  during 
which  she  became  one  of  the  foremost  experts  on  juvenile  diabetes 
and  growth  problems. 

Dr.  Elders  has  demonstrated  over  and  over  again  a  unique  capac- 
ity to  combine  new  ideas  for  public  health  with  an  exceptional  un- 
derstanding of  medicine. 

But  she  doesn't  stop  with  words  and  rhetoric.  She  turns  these 
ideas  into  action.  She  reaches  out  to  children  and  families  and  pro- 
vides them  medical  and  preventive  services  where  they  are — and 
where  they  are  mostly  likely  to  get  them.  And  it  is  this  that  has 
caused  the  most  controversy. 

Dr.  Elders  has  won  the  strong  backing  of  the  community  for  her 
efforts.  She  has  built  public  health  services  from  the  ground  up  in 
Arkansas — through  the  State  and  county  departments  of  health, 
the  churches,  the  schools,  organizations  like  the  YMCAs,  and  even 
with  business — Arkansas  will  be  a  model  for  our  Nation.  She  is 
trusted  because  she  knows  what  she  is  talking  about. 

Mr.  President,  many  of  my  colleagues  aren't  aware  that  Dr.  El- 
ders is  also  an  exceptional  scholar.  As  a  full  professor  of  medicine 
during  11  years  at  the  University  of  Arkansas  Medical  School  she 
taught  courses — practiced  medicine- — and  published  over  150  arti- 
cles on  important  developments  in  pediatrics. 

Her  programs  to  end  teen  pregnancy;  reduce  infant  mortality; 
improve  the  well-being  of  children  and  families  are  all  based  in 

science. 

Her  victories  fighting  disease  are  too  plentiful  to  recount. 

But  it  is  no  wonder  that  President  Clinton  chose  Dr.  Elders  when 
he  was  Governor  to  head  the  Arkansas  Department  of  Health.  And 
it  is  no  wonder  that  President  Clinton  has  asked  Dr.  Elders  to 
move  to  Washington  to  become  this  Nation's  chief  medical  officer 
as  the  Surgeon  General  of  the  United  States. 

Dr.  Elder's  experience  as  a  scholar,  innovator,  and  veteran  will 
serve  well  in  her  new  role.  Because  Dr.  Elders  is  a  veteran  of  many 
wars. 

She  started  her  career  in  health  in  the  U.S.  Armed  Forces.  She 
spent  countless  years  in  the  trenches  fighting  to  improve  the  public 
health  of  Arkansas.  And  now  she  will  be  bringing  with  her  all  that 
experience  and  wisdom  to  serve  our  country  once  again. 

Mr.  President,  I  believe  Dr.  Elders  has  the  proven  ability  to  get 
people  to  pull  together  to  improve  public  health.  I  can  think  of  no 
more  qualified  candidate. 

I  urge  my  colleagues  to  give  their  support  to  this  remarkable 
nominee  for  Surgeon  General. 

Thank  you. 

Prepared  Statement  of  Senator  Wellstone 

Mr.  Chairman,  I  am  proud  to  speak  in  support  of  Dr.  Joycelyn 
Elders  for  Surgeon  General  of  the  United  States.  Dr.  Elders  is  just 
what  this  Nation  needs:  a  remarkable  woman  who  has  stared  down 
daunting  odds,  to  make  health  services  better  for  people. 

Her  decision  to  spend  part  of  her  pediatric  internship  at  the  Uni- 
versity of  Minnesota  Hospital  is  only  one  example  of  her  excellent 
judgement.  What  impressed  me  so  vividly,  during  our  meeting  a 
few  weeks  ago,  was  her  absolute  commitment  to  working  with  com- 


61 

munities  to  develop  health  care  programs  that  work.  We  discussed 
the  issue  of  domestic  violence,  an  issue  on  which  my  wife.  Sheila, 
has  done  tremendous  work.  It  is  an  issue  that  is  still  hard  to  talk 
about  and  confront.  It's,  not  a  popular  issue,  one  that  brings  people 
to  their  feet  in  applause.  It's  one  of  those  hidden  epidemics,  that 
afflicts  people  who  are  often  too  powerless  to  defend  themselves,  let 
alone  to  strike  back.  But  Dr.  Elders  understood  the  importance  of 
confronting  the  issue  of  domestic  violence,  and  supporting  efforts 
for  change. 

Similarly,  she  made  me  aware  of  a  North  Carolina  study  showing 
that  an  overwhelming  majority  of  that  State's  population  support 
school-based  health  centers  for  adolescents.  There  are  always  some 
who  will  attack  the  kinds  of  school-based  clinics  that  Dr.  Elders 
has  championed.  But  Dr.  Elders  has  always  shown  that  she  under- 
stands her  responsibility,  as  a  powerful  speaker,  as  a  responsible 
public  official,  to  combat  stereotypes  if  that's  what  it  takes  to  pro- 
tect our  kids  from  sexually  transmitted  diseases,  to  reduce  teenage 
pregnancy,  to  get  poor  kids  immunized.  Arkansas  is  a  poor  State, 
Mr.  Chairman.  No  one  could  expect  miracles  from  State  health  pro- 
grams, especially  during  the  Reagan  years  when  State  health  budg- 
ets were  starved.  But  Dr.  Elders  took  up  the  challenge.  Under  her 
leadership,  The  Arkansas  Campaign  for  Healthier  Babies  increased 
the  number  of  pregnant  women  who  receive  early  and  regular  pre- 
natal care  by  17%  in  2  years.  Early  childhood  health  screenings  in- 
creased from  4,000  to  45,000  in  just  4  years.  She  developed  pro- 
grams that  should  have  been  in  place  long  ago,  to  screen  for  sickle 
cell  disease  and  for  cancer  in  low  income  women. 

Minnesota  has  struggled  for  many  years  with  the  problem  of  at- 
tracting providers  to  rural  areas.  Dr.  Elders  won  grants  that  at- 
tracted 17  physicians  and  5  other  health  care  providers  in  1992,  up 
from  1. 

This  is  a  time  of  serious  crisis  in  our  country.  At  a  time  when 
certain  corners  in  the  wealthy  parts  of  our  cities  offer  more  high 
tech  medical  equipment  than  entire  nations,  many  Americans  do 
without  the  most  basic  services.  A  survey  just  released  by  the  Com- 
monwealth Fund  found  that  13%  of  women  in  this  country  fail  to 
receive  the  care  they  need  in  a  given  year,  and  among  uninsured 
women,  more  that  a  third  fail  to  receive  necessary  care.  One  third 
of  all  women  did  not  have  basic  preventive  health  services  in  the 
last  year,  including  a  Pap  smear  or  a  physical  exam. 

As  we  face  the  task  of  health  care  reform,  we  need  a  leader  in 
the  Surgeon  General's  office  who  has  a  vision  of  where  our  health 
care  delivery  system  needs  to  be  headed,  and  what  our  public 
health  services  must  accomplish.  We  have  seen,  from  the  notable 
examples  of  C.  Everett  Koop,  and  more  recently  Antonia  Novella, 
that  this  is  an  office  where  a  strong  advocate  can  make  a  dif- 
ference, and  a  strongadvocate  of  the  people  is  needed. 

I  am  in  awe,  Mr.  Chair,  of  Dr.  Joycelyn  Elders  accomplishments, 
of  her  vision,  her  drive,  and  her  commitment.  The  President  could 
not  have  chosen  a  better  nominee.  I  pledge  my  full  support  for  her 
nomination,  and  look  forward  to  the  dynamic  work  we  will  be  doing 
together  once  she  is  confirmed. 

Senator  Mkulski.  Dr.  Elders,  I  know  it  is  not  easy  to  be  a  nomi- 
nee. Unlike  a  physical  exam,  when  you  are  presumed  to  be  well, 


62 

and  one  is  scrutinized  to  see  if  there  is  something  that  needs  to 
healed,  often  when  there  is  a  nominee  in  today's  climate,  there  is 
a  presumption  that  something  is  wrong,  and  you  have  to  prove 
yourself  to  be  okay. 

I  think  that  this  hearing,  you  have  proved  yourself  to  be  more 
than  okay.  I  want  to  congratulate  you  with  an  A"  for  effort  in  try- 
ing to  answer  the  questions  with  candor  and  forthrightness. 

I  have  been  impressed  during  the  process  of  this  hearing  about 
how  actually  informative  it  was;  that  there  were  many  answers  in 
the  Q  and  A  that  my  colleagues  have  asked,  and  your  answers,  in 
which  I  feel  that  I  have  learned  something  about  public  health, 
something  about  the  status  of  children,  and  many  insights  on  how 
to  proceed. 

I  think  when  we  can  actually  have  hearings  where  we  can  learn 
from  the  process,  as  well  as  learn  about  each  other,  should  be  the 
model,  and  I  believe  we  are  going  to  learn  for  many  years  to  come 
from  you. 

I  have  two  areas  of  questioning.  One  deals  with  the  hat  that  I 
wear  as  the  chair  of  the  Subcommittee  on  Aging  on  this  committee, 
and  the  other  relates  to  Federal  emergency  management,  another 
responsibility  I  have  in  another  committee. 

As  this  Nation's  Surgeon  General,  your  job  is  not  only  to  be  the 
top  pediatrician  of  this  country — and  I  support  the  goals  and  vision 
that  you  articulated — but  I  want  to  also  talk  about  the  other  popu- 
lations in  our  society.  In  your  Q  and  A  about  the  Social  Security 
issue,  you  spoke  about  the  issues  related  to  Leona  Elders.  I  believe 
Mrs.  Leona  Elders  has  Alzheimer's;  is  that  correct,  Dr.  Elders? 
Dr.  Elders.  Yes,  that's  correct. 

Senator  Mkulskl  My  own  father  died  of  Alzheimer's.  I  know 
the  plight  of  families  who  have  Alzheimer's.  I  believe  in  many  of 
the  articles,  for  families  enduring  that  situation,  they  call  it  the 
"36-hour  day";  am  I  correct? 
Dr.  Elders.  There  is  a  lot  of  truth  to  what  you  just  said. 
Senator  Mkulski.  Now,  every  female  nominee  seems  to  have 
been  getting  a  spill  in  the  cinders  or  a  bump  around  the  issue  of 
caretaking,  regardless  of  who  has  been  the  nominee.  Caretaking 
seems  to  be  one  of  the  fundamental  issues  in  our  society — where 
do  you  find  it?  How  do  you  pay  for  it?  How  do  you  make  sure  it 
is  good?  Is  "good"  good  enough?  And  not  only  for  children,  who 
have  been  the  focus  of  attention  in  I  know  your  life's  work,  but  now 
you  have  provided  caretaking  for  an  elderly  person,  both  financially 
and  personally.  Your  description  of  your  own  life  touches  me  very 
much.  I  know  about  those  situations  personally. 

I  wonder,  from  both  your  life  experience  and  your  experience  in 
public  health,  how  would  you  envision  yourself  as  the  Surgeon 
General  on  these  issues  of  caretaking — do  you  have  thoughts  on  it, 
and  what  would  be  those  insights,  both  from  your  own  experience, 
given  with  love,  but  difficult? 

Dr.  Elders.  Senator,  I  feel  very  strongly  about  trying  to  provide 
health  care  for  our  elderly  in  their  own  homes  for  as  long  as  we 
possibly  can.  Even  for  our  health  department — in  fact,  since  I  have 
been  health  director,  we  haven't  talked  about  that  very  much — but 
we  have  expanded  our  health  care  from  service  of  approximately  $2 
or  $3  million  to  over  $20  million,  providing  in-home  health  services 


63 

such  that  we  can  keep  our  elderly  in  their  own  homes.  We  provided 
a  lot  of  personal  care.  And  from  my  own  experience,  Senator,  I  feel 
that  my  sons  have  gained  a  lot  from  helping  to  care  for  their  grand- 
mother. That  is  not  a  problem  for  them  to  help  care  for  their 
grandmother,  and  they  have  learned  from  that  experience.  And 
even  though  now,  she  really  does  not  interact  as  much  with  us, 
when  she  did,  those  were  wonderful  moments,  and  perhaps  nothing 
is  better  than  to  be  able  to  have  a  grandmother  that  you  come 
home  to  and  respect,  because  they  remember  when  grandma  took 
them  to  Six  Flags. 

So  in  that  sense,  I  feel  that  we  should  provide  the  best. 

Senator  MlKULSKl.  So  you  feel  the  best  place  to  care  for  anyone 
is  in  his  or  her  own  home,  and  that  it  should  be  multigenerational? 

Dr.  Elders.  Yes,  I  do. 

Senator  Mikulski.  And  in  the  programs  that  you  have  described 
in  Arkansas  that  essentially  enabled  and  facilitated  people  to  re- 
main in  their  own  homes  or  with  their  families,  were  you  the  archi- 
tect of  those  programs;  were  you  the  prime  mover,  or  did  you  in- 
herit a  legacy  of  another  forward-thinking  Arkansas  public  health 
official? 

Dr.  ELDERS.  Well,  I  think  I  was  probably  the  mover  to  make  it 
grow,  but  it  was  started  by  a  previous  health  director  who  hap- 
pened to  be  74  years  old  at  the  time  that  he  left  the  health  depart- 
ment. But  there  is  a  young  man  there — he  is  still  there — that's  the 
vision,  Senator — I  would  like  to  say  it  happened  while  I  was  there, 
but 

Senator  Mikulski.  But  you  enhanced  it.  So,  while  people  were 
talking  about  you  giving  out  condoms  in  school,  you  were  also  say- 
ing that  the  elderly  should  get  i.v.  fluids  in  their  own  home,  and 
their  meals-on-wheels,  and  things  like  that. 

Dr.  Elders.  Oh,  absolutely,  Senator.  And  one  of  the  groups  that 
helped  me  absolutely  the  most  in  Arkansas  with  the  Arkansas  leg- 
islature was  the  AXRP.  They  would  get  up  in  the  morning  at  7:00 
to  go  and  fill  the  legislature,  to  make  sure,  carrying  signs  about 
school-based  clinics  to  support  Dr.  Elders. 

Senator  Mikulski.  Oh,  we  know,  we  know. 

Dr.  Elders.  So  the  walking  elderly  helped  me  fight  for  an  in- 
crease in  the  cigarette  tax,  Senator;  they  helped  me  fight  for 
school-based  clinics;  they  helped  me  fight  for  many  things. 

Senator  Mikulski.  So  you  have  helped  to  deal  with  this  issue  of 
so-called  multi  or  intergenerational  conflict. 

Dr.  Elders.  Well,  I  just  feel  that  they  have  just  been  wonderful. 

Senator  Mikulski.  Well,  thank  you  for  answering  that  line  of 
questions.  Fd  like  to  now  move  to  another  area. 
^  Dr.  Elders,  I  chair  the  subcommittee  on  appropriations  that 
funds  Federal  emergency  management,  and  my  questions  will  go 
exactly  to  public  health  issues,  if  I  might.  Last  weekend,  I  toured 
the  flood  areas  with  the  President  and  the  team,  and  met  with 
some  of  the  Public  Health  Commissioned  Officers,  by  the  way,  to 
talk  with  them.  Here  is  my  question.  As  the  Surgeon  General  of 
the  United  States,  and  your  heading  up  the  Commissioned  Corps, 
as  Senator  Pell  raised,  could  you  tell  me  what  in  your  mind  would 
be  the  issues  around  public  health  and  what  you  will  be  doing  if 
confirmed  quickly  to  meet  the  flood  relief  victims,  and  what  do  you 


64 

see  the  public  health  role,  and  what  do  you  see  the  Surgeon  Gen- 
eral's role  in  responding  to  this  great  tragedy  where  some  have  lost 
their  lives,  some  have  lost  their  communities,  some  have  lost  their 
livelihoods,  and  are  now  faced  with  stench,  disease,  and  more  rain? 

Dr.  Elders.  Senator,  it  is  the  responsibility  of  the  Public  Health 
Service,  a  part  of  the  Commissioned  Corps,  under  both  the  Surgeon 
General  and  Dr.  Lee — I  guess  I  am  more  personnel — to  respond 
quickly,  immediately,  and  to  take  care  of  the  problem;  make  sure 
people  have  safe  drinking  water;  make  sure  we  are  abiding  by  ap- 
propriate public  health  problems;  make  sure  that  we  can,  if  we 
have  to,  transport  in  a  hospital. 

So  we  are  the  first  responders  to  emergencies  such  as  that, 
whether  they  are  floods,  whether  they  are  hurricanes  or  large 
spills;  whenever  there  is  a  major  tragedy  in  our  country.  I  feel  that 
we  have  to  respond  to  people  in  the  time  of  need.  Senator,  if  we 
can't  respond  in  the  time  of  need,  well,  then,  when  can  we  respond? 
That  is  the  responsibility  and  one  of  the  functions  of  the  Commis- 
sioned Corps. 

Senator  Mikulski.  Dr.  Elders,  you  have  been  one  of  the  top  pub- 
lic health  officers  of  a  State  where  one  of  their  primary  hazards 
has  been  flooding.  This  is  a  situation  that  has  befallen  the  State 
of  Arkansas  on  many  sad  occasions.  Have  you  led  the  public  health 
efforts  to  respond  to  those?  When  we  were  in  St.  Louis,  MO  with 
the  President  and  the  Governors  and  so  on,  they  talked  about  ev- 
erything from  the  need  for  immunizations  against  diseases  ranging 
all  the  way  through  to  the  mental  health  problems  as  people  face 
the  horrendous  collapse  of  their  community.  Have  you  actually  led 
efforts  in  that?  Have  you  been  a  public  health  person  who  has  done 
that? 

Dr.  Elders.  Yes.  That  is  handled  out  of  my  office,  in  fact.  We 
have  the  response  book,  and  all  agencies — we  meet,  we  all  have  our 
orders,  we  all  know  what  we  are  supposed  to  do.  We  know  who  is 
going  to  call  the  Federal  health.  So  that  is  something  that 

Senator  Mdxulski.  Do  I  have  another  minute  or  two,  Mr.  Chair- 
man? 

The  Chairman.  Yes. 

Senator  Mikulski.  Could  you  tell  us  what  you  did  to  respond  to 
the  flooding  in  Arkansas?  I  mean,  you  look  like  the  kind  of  lady 
who  would  just  jump  in  a  jeep  and  get  out  there. 

Dr.  ELDERS.  Well,  I  have  been  very  fortunate,  Senator,  that  we 
haven't  had  a  flood.  But  we  have  had 

Senator  Mikulskl  Well,  hopefully,  if  you  become  Surgeon  Gen- 
eral, maybe  we  won't  have  another  one. 

Dr.  Elders.  We  did  have  a  terrible  problem  in  response  to  a  cri- 
sis down  at  Pine  Bluff  when  there  was  a  really  very  major  toxic 
spill  that  might  have  required  evacuating  an  entire  town  of  about 
40,000  or  50,000  people.  But  we  immediately  have,  obviously,  our 
environmental  people,  we  have  our  nurses,  we  have  our  doctors,  we 
have  our  physicists,  and  these  people,  the  minute  they  are  called, 
have  to  immediately  go  out  and  begin  to  address  all  of  the  prob- 
lems— the  police  and  so  on.  And  we  man  also  the  radio,  the  commu- 
nication system.  And  we  spent  the  whole  week  working  on  how 
would  we  respond  to  that  earthquake  that  they  thought  they  were 


65 

going  to  have  down  in  Arkansas  some  months  ago.  But  the  entire 
health  department  is  involved. 

Senator  Mikulski.  Did  you  design  the  plans  and  oversee  the 
management? 

Dr.  Elders.  I  did  not  design  the  plans,  but  I  was  a  part,  and  I 
worked  with  the  plan  and  the  person  who  was  always  there  and 
represented  me,  who  is  one  of  our  physicists  who  is  over  our  radio- 
active waste  disposal 

Senator  Mikulski.  Well,  actually,  that  is  one  of  your  jobs  as  the 
Surgeon  General,  I  believe.  According  to  the  job  description,  you're 
supposed  to  review  the  Department  of  Defense  plans  for  transpor- 
tation, open  testing,  and  disposal  of  lethal  chemicals  and  biological 
agents  and  recommend 

Dr.  Elders.  That's  correct,  and  I  have  had  5V2  years'  worth  of 
how  we  need  to  deal  with  those  problems,  Senator. 

Senator  MncuLSKi.  So  you  as  the  Surgeon  General  of  the  United 
States  feel  that  in  addition  to  really  wanting  to  focus  a  lot  on  the 
compelling  needs  of  our  children,  you  also  see  your  job  as  broader 
than  that,  and  you  feel  that  you,  because  of  your  experiences,  have 
the  competency  and  the  long  history  in  that;  is  that  right? 

Dr.  Elders.  I  certainly  do,  Senator.  I  feel  that  I  have  a  real  com- 
mitment, certainly,  to  our  elderly,  and  I  feel  they  are  very  aware 
of  that.  And  I  have  a  real  commitment  to  our  environment.  I  feel 
so  strongly  that  the  greatest  gains  we  have  made  in  public  health 
are  really  related  to  safe  drinking  water.  To  me,  that  is  a  big  re- 
sponsibility, to  make  sure  that  it  is  not  contaminated.  I  feel  that 
we  must  protect  our  environment  at  all  costs. 

Senator  Mdculski.  Thank  you. 

Mr.  Chairman,  there  are  many  more  questions  I  could  ask,  but 
I  think  Dr.  Elders  now  has  certainly  answered  my  questions,  and 

I  look  forward  to  further  Q  and  A  from  other  colleagues. 
The  Chairman.  Thank  you  very  much. 

Senator  Bingaman,  we  are  glad  to  have  you.  I  know  you  have 
been  at  Armed  Services,  where  I  am  also  a  member,  and  I  regret 
being  unable  to  attend  those  meetings  today.  We  know  you  have 
been  necessarily  absent,  but  we  welcome  you  back  now. 

Senator  Bingaman.  Thank  you  very  much,  Mr.  Chairman. 

Dr.  Elders,  it  is  a  pleasure  to  be  nere  with  you.  I  really  wanted 
to  mainly  congratulate  you  on  your  nomination  and  wish  you  well 
in  this  new  position,  which  I  am  sure  you  will  be  confirmed  in  as 
soon  as  the  Senate  votes  on  the  issue. 

I  do  think  that  you  have  a  rare  talent  for  forcing  us  to  focus  on 
the  real  world  we  live  in  and  not  the  world  that  we  wish  we  lived 
in,  and  that  is  something  we  desperately  need  here  in  the  Nation's 
Capital  and  throughout  the  country.  So  I  welcome  your  ascension 
to  this  position. 

Let  me  cite  one  issue  that  is  of  particular  interest  in  my  State, 
and  I  am  sure  it  is  one  that  you  don't  get  asked  about  that  often. 
The  Federal  Government,  of  course,  in  the  public  health  system, 
which  you  would  be  the  primary  spokesperson  for,  the  Federal  Gov- 
ernment has  the  main  responsibility  for  the  health  of  the  Native 
American  people.  And  we  have  had  a  series  of  particular  health 
problems  that  have  afflicted  that  population.  One  is  diabetes.  Type 

II  diabetes,  for  example,  is  very  prevalent  on  many  of  the  Indian 


66 

reservations  in  my  State  and  throughout  the  country.  Alcoholism 
is  a  serious  problem. 

I  don't  know  if  you  have  any  comments  you  could  give  us  today 
on  your  thoughts  about  how  we  could  do  a  better  job  of  meeting  our 
responsibility  for  providing  health  care  for  that  group  of  Americans 
as  well  as  the  rest  of  us. 

Dr.  Elders.  Senator,  I  have  been  to  your  State  on  several  occa- 
sions; in  fact,  one  when  we  were  reviewing  a  large  NIH  grant  relat- 
ed to  looking  at  diabetes  in  Native  Americans.  I  very  much  support 
providing  the  kind  of  health  care  that  is,  if  you  will,  tailored  to  fit 
the  needs  of  our  Native  Americans.  We  know  that  with  appropriate 
diet  and  getting  started  early,  early  education,  weight  control,  that 
we  might  be  able  to  at  least,  if  not  reduce  it,  prolong  the  time  be- 
fore onset  of  diabetes. 

So  I  would  certainly  hope  that  we  would  continue  to  start  pro- 
grams early  such  that  we  could  address  that.  As  you  know,  40  per- 
cent of  the  Commissioned  Corps  is  assigned  to  the  Indian  Health 
Service.  Obviously,  that  is  a  large  part  of  what  the  Commissioned 
Corps  does  is  making  sure  that  we  serve  in  areas  that  are  terribly 
underserved  and  need  more  services* 

I  know  that  we  are  not  providing  adequate  health  services  in 
many  of  the  underserved  areas,  including  your  State,  certainly 
even  including  my  State,  but  we  will  continue  to  try  to  address 
those  issues. 

And  I  know  that  the  problem  of  alcoholism  is  a  real  problem,  es- 
pecially for  pregnant  women,  and  the  development  of  fetal  alcohol 
syndrome,  where  children  who  will  often  live  with  long-term  per- 
manent handicaps.  So  it  really  is  a  major  issue  where  I  feel  that 
we  have  got  to  start  looking  into  better  ways  than  we  presently 
have  to  address  those  issues. 

I  wish  I  knew  how  to  tell  you  this  is  how  to  do  it. 

Senator  Bingaman.  Let  me  ask  you  about  one  other  public  health 
problem  which  I  see  in  my  State,  and  that  relates  to  our  Hispanic 
community.  Historically,  the  Hispanic  population  of  my  State  has 
not  had  some  of  the  same  health  problems  that  the  rest  of  our  pop- 
ulation has  had.  One  example  is  lung  cancer.  We  have  not  had 
nearly  the  incidence  of  lung  cancer  in  the  Hispanic  community  that 
we  have  had  in  the  rest  of  our  population  because  the  incidence  of 
smoking  has  been  less.  We  have  seen  a  very  concerted  effort  by  to- 
bacco companies  in  recent  years  to  target  the  Hispanic  community 
and  increase  the  incidence  of  smoking,  seeing  that  as  a  very  lucra- 
tive market  to  be  developed. 

These  are  issues  which  I  hope  you  will  be  able  to  speak  out  on 
in  your  new  position  and  provide  leadership  on,  and  I  am  sure, 
based  on  your  previous  experience,  that  you  will  not  shrink  from 
speaking  out  on  them.  So  I'd  just  cite  that  for  you  and  ask  if  you 
have  any  comment. 

Dr.  Elders.  Senator,  I  appreciate  what  you  have  just  said,  and 
I  feel  that  we  must  speak  out  against  tobacco  very  forcibly,  and  we 
must  do  it  early.  The  tobacco  industry  really  is  always  recruiting 
bright  young  people  into  beginning  smoking  early,  to  keep  their  in- 
dustry going.  So  I  will  be  speaking  out  against  tobacco. 

Senator  Bingaman.  Mr.  Chairman,  I  could  go  on  for  some  period 
with  questions,  but  I  think  Dr.  Elders  has  been  very  patient.  I  ap- 


67 

predate  the  chance  to  support  her  nomination,  and  I  commend  you 
forgoing  forward  with  the  hearing  today. 

The  Chairman.  Dr.  Elders,  we  are  in  kind  of  a  unique  situation 
where  we  may  be  able  to  wind  up. 

Dr.  Elders.  Fm  doing  fine,  Senator. 

The  Chairman.  And  without  wanting  to  "disturb  the  particles," 
as  Winston  Churchill  once  said,  if  you  feel  comfortable,  we  could 
go  on,  rather  than  taking  a  break  and  risking  other  points. 

Dr.  Elders.  I  feel  fine,  Senator. 

The  Chairman.  We  may  not;  if  it  is  inevitable  that  we  can't,  well 
take  a  break  shortly. 

Senator  Kassebaum. 

Senator  Kassebaum.  I  have  one  more,  prompted  a  bit  by  Senator 
Metzenbaum's  comments  about  right  wing  groups  having  opposi- 
tion. 

Dr.  Elders,  you  and  I  talked  a  bit  about  the  lightning  rod — and 
I  think  the  pins  are  marvelous — but  Senator  Durenberger  and  Sen- 
ator Wofford  spoke,  too,  about  comments  that  sometimes,  in  their 
forthrightness  and  our  understanding  of  them,  it  would  help  us  to 
know  your  concerns  and  why  you  .said  them.  But  on  the  other 
hand,  I  think  it  goes  beyond  that.  Sometimes  comments  can  just 
be  a  bit  off-putting  when  you  really  want  them  to  bring  people  to- 
gether and  may  cause  them  to  stand  aside. 

Let  me  ask — and  I  do  this  at  some  risk  because,  as  Senator 
Wofford  said,  we  all  say  things  that  are  either  taken  out  of  context 
or  we  wish  we  hadn't  said — but  I  would  like  to  give  you  examples 
of  some  that  have  been  in  the  press  and  have  caused,  I  think,  some 
concern. 

One  is:  "I  tell  every  girl  that  when  she  goes  out  on  a  date,  put 
a  condom  in  her  purse."  And:  "We  taught  them  what  to  do  in  the 
front  seat  of  a  car;  now  it  is  time  to  teach  them  what  to  do  in  the 
back  seat." 

There  is  the  reality  of  the  times  we  are  in — but  I  think  again, 
it  isn't  just  right  wing  groups  that  might  have  some  concern  about 
those  comments;  it  is  others  who  would  say,  "Oh,  gosh,  is  that  what 
I  look  at  for  my  granddaughter?"  and  think  that  this  is  what  real- 
istically is  there.  Again,  on  providing  condoms  in  the  schools,  you 
said:  'Well,  we  aren't  going  to  put  them  on  their  lunch  trays,"  but 
that  yes,  you  felt  that  was  important.  And  I  suppose  the  one  that 
has  been  quoted  the  most  often  is:  "We  would  like  for  the  right  to 
life,  anti-choice  groups  to  really  get  over  their  love  affairs  with  the 
fetus  and  start  supporting  children." 

I  do  not  raise  these  to  cause  any  discomfort.  On  the  other  hand, 
I  do  raise  them  because  I  think  that  as  the  Surgeon  General,  and 
to  address  the  causes  that  you  care  about  and  that  we  care  about, 
whether  it  is  Senator  Coats  or  Senator  Kennedy  or  Senator  Mikul- 
ski  or  myself,  we  have  to  bring  people  together,  and  we  have  to 
make  them  feel  comfortable,  not  distant. 

And  I  know  that  you  feel — and  it  may  be  right,  and  Senator 
Durenberger  alluded  to  this — that  you  have  to  kind  of  get  people's 
attention  and  shock  them  into  a  realization  of  what  needs  to  be 
done.  But  it  has  to  take  a  certain  balancing,  I  would  suggest,  and 
I  wonder  how  you  would  answer  that. 


68 

Dr.  Elders.  I  would  agree  with  you,  Senator  Kassebaum.  I  think 
we  all  would  like  to  bring  people  together  and  have  them  work  to- 
gether. And  when  those  statements  are  just  statements  out  there, 
out  of  the  context  of  a  whole  speech,  sometimes  I  think  the  flavor- 
ing becomes  very  different 

When  I  made  the  comment,  for  instance,  in  regard  to  the  pros- 
titutes and  Norplant,  well,  taken  out  of  context — in  the  context 
that  I  was  answering  it,  they  were  asking  if  I  would  support  Fed- 
eral programs  or  programs  to  pay  for  Norplant  for  drug-addicted 
women  who  were  prostitutes.  And  I  still  feel  that  rather  than  them 
having  drug-addicted  babies,  I  still  would.  But  just  to  say  that  I 
would  just  be  doing  that  so  they  could  go  out  and  have  babies  or 
something — obviously,  I  don't  support  that.  I  am  not  about  that. 

In  regard  to  the  front  seat  and  the  back  seat  comment,  I  think 
that  as  we  teach  our  children  driver's  education — almost  every 
school  in  Arkansas  has  some  type  of  driver's  education — we  teach 
them  to  not  drink  and  drive;  we  teach  them  to  always  wear  their 
seatbelts — and  we  teach  them  sex  education,  to  be  responsible. 

And  Senator,  I  believe  that  abstinence — I  feel  as  much  or  more 
than  anybody — I  certainly  feel  that  that  is  what  I  have  taught  my 
children.  Every  parent  I  know,  I  feel,  supports  and  teaches  absti- 
nence. Every  preacher  I  know  supports  and  teaches  abstinence.  But 
we  know  that  sometimes  they  are  not  abstinent.  But  the  thing  that 
I  was  really  trying  to  say  was  that  we  want  them  to  be  responsible. 
If  you  can't  be  abstinent,  I  want  you  to  be  responsible.  If  it  hap- 
pens, certainly,  use  a  condom;  don  t  take  the  risk  of  AIDS  or  sexu- 
ally-transmitted disease  or  pregnancy. 

Everybody  is  excited  about  abortion.  I  have  never  been  about 
abortion.  I  think  we  discussed  that  issue.  I  am  about  preventing 
unplanned  pregnancies.  And  I  think  we  know  that  if  we  could  pre- 
vent the  pregnancy,  then  abortion  becomes  a  nonissue. 

So  what  I  was  really  saying  was  that  we  need  to  teach  our  chil- 
dren more  than  just  No.  We  need  to  teach  them  how  to  say  no, 
and  we  need  to  teach  them  that  if  they  get  into  problems,  to  be  re- 
sponsible, to  make  a  responsible  decisions.  I  think  that  was  what 
I  meant  by  that  statement,  and  I  think  in  the  context  of  the  whole 
speech  that  I  made,  I  think  most  people  would  agree  that  that  was 
how  I  meant  that  statement.  So  that's  what  I  meant. 

And  in  regard  to  the  condoms  in  the  purse,  again,  I  was  probably 
caught  up  in  the  moment.  I  was  speaking  to  a  high  school  group 
that  was  having  a  prom  about  a  week  or  two  later,  and  we  had 
spent  a  whole  hour  with  them  asking  questions  and  talking.  And 
I  did  say — Fm  not  going  to  deny  it — I  did  say  that  I  feel  that  they 
should  never  go  out  on  a  date  with  somebody  that  they  liked — and 
I  did  have  that  statement  in  there,  too — unless  they  had  a  condom 
in  their  purse. 

What  I  was  really  saying  to  the  girls  was  don't  depend  on  the 
young  man  to  say,  "I  don't  have  one.  You  make  sure,  that  you  have 
one.  And  I  guess  I  still  don't  really  disagree  with  that.  I  don't  want 
them  ever  having  to  need  them.  I  just  don't  want  any  of  them.  But 
I  want  them  to  be  responsible. 

Senator  Kassebaum.  You  have  been  endorsed  by  the  Arkansas 
PTA,  I  believe  it  was  stated.  Do  you  work  quite  a  bit  with  the  par- 
ent groups  and  with  the  schools? 


69 

Dr.  Elders.  Yes,  I  do,  Senator. 

Senator  Kassebauwl  It  seems  to  me  again  an  important  avenue 
that  just  can't  be  overlooked.  And  it  goes  back  to  my  opening  com- 
ments about  the  changes  in  generations  and  the  changes  in  influ- 
ences, like  television,  and  I  agree  so  much  with  your  comments  on 
that.  It  is  the  sexual  innuendos  that  we  hear  today  in  our  advertis- 
ing and  so  forth  that  I  think  are  all  part  and  parcel  of  the  bigger 
picture. 

Dr.  Elders.  Yes. 

Senator  Kassebaum.  But  how  you  address  it,  again,  as  the 
spokesperson  for  our  Nation's  health,  becomes  the  question,  and  I 
think  that  is  terribly  important.  As  I  said,  it  is  a  great  opportunity 
because  it  is  obviously  a  major  problem  that  we  have.  But  how  it 
is  done,  though,  in  order  to  get  the  broadest  audience  possible  to 
support  it,  will  probably  require  a  little  bedside  manner  as  well  as 
the  thunderbolt. 

Thank  you  very  much. 

Dr.  Elders.  Thanks,  Senator. 

The  Chairman.  Thank  you. 

Senator  Coats. 

Senator  Coats.  Thank  you,  Mr.  Chairman. 

Even  though  he  is  no  longer  here,  I  want  to  thank  my  colleague, 
Senator  Durenberger,  for  saying  some  very  nice  things  about  me — 
I  hope  they  are  true. 

Dr.  Elders.  Senator,  I  thought  you  were  very  nice  when  I  came 
to  visit  you,  so  I  have  been  saying  nice  things  about  you,  too. 
[Laughter.] 

Senator  Coats.  I  was  starting  to  think  I  might  be  getting  a  bad 
rap.  Whatever  the  case,  I  hope  you  can  still  say  that  after  I  am 
done  with  this  round  of  questioning. 

Dr.  Elders.  Go  right  ahead. 

Senator  Coats.  It  is  not  easy  to  talk  about  these  financial  ques- 
tions. In  fact,  I  respect  an  individual's  right  to  privacy  and,  from 
one  standpoint,  regret  that  we  have  to  ask  these  questions.  But  I 
think  they  need  to  be  asked  only  because  many  have  written  and 
alleged  that  there  are  potential  conflicts  of  interest.  And  I  would 
think  you  would  want  those  resolved,  and  we  need  to  have  those 
resolved.  If  there  are  conflicts  of  interest,  then  that  is  a  matter  that 
the  committee  needs  to  take  into  consideration  in  terms  of  your 
nomination. 

I  understood  your  reluctance  to  release  some  of  your  tax  forms, 
which  is  why  I  suggested  a  closed  hearing  so  that  we  could  discuss 
these  candidly  without  you  having  to  do  it  on  nationwide  television. 
But  you  and  the  chairman  said  no,  you  are  more  than  willing  to 
do  this  on  a  public  basis,  so  while  the  questions  are  a  little  bit  dif- 
ficult, you  have  chosen  to  do  so,  and  I  want  to  just  take  a  small 
amount  of  time  here  to  pursue  a  couple  of  questions  that  I  did  not 
get  to  in  my  first  round. 

This  whole  matter  of  caretakers  and  domestic  help  and  paying 
their  taxes,  no  one  really  knew  that  was  a  problem  until  we  had 
some  Attorney  General  nominees,  and  it  suddenly  became  a  very 
explosive  political  issue.  And  it  is  probably  not  of  much  comfort  to 
Zoe  Baird  or  Kimba  Wood  that  we  are  now  saying,  oh,  well,  this 
doesn't  really  matter.  It  certainly  matters  to  them.  Whether  it  was 


70 

an  appropriate  question  or  not,  it  was  a  determining  factor  in  the 
fact  that  they  are  now  back  in  the  private  sector  and  did  not  be- 
come Attorney  General. 

So  it  is  an  issue,  and  I  think  questions  have  been  raised,  and  you 
have  answered  many  of  my  questions,  but  I  just  wanted  to  clarify 
a  couple  of  points. 

You  stated  that  you  and  your  husband  have  paid  for  the  care  out 
of  a  joint  account.  Then  in  response  I  believe  to  Senator  Kennedy's 
questions,  you  indicated  that  actually,  the  funds  for  that  were  your 
mother-in-law's  funds  which  were  placed  in  your  husband's  and 
your  joint  account  and  then  paid  back  out.  Am  I  correct  on  that? 

Dr.  Elders.  That  is  correct. 

Senator  Coats.  Now,  this  individual,  Audrey  Ruffin,  who  pro- 
vided the  care  for  your  mother,  was  she  connected  in  some  way 
with  the  Mercy  Nursing  Home? 

Dr.  Elders.  Yes. 

Senator  Coats.  What  was  that  connection? 

Dr.  Elders.  She  was  the  daughter  of  the  former  owner  of  the 
nursing  home  before  it  was  sold. 

Senator  Coats.  All  right.  And  I  believe  your  financial  disclosure 
form  filed  with  the  State  of  Arkansas  indicated  that  you  had  a  fi- 
nancial interest  in  that  nursing  home;  is  that  correct? 

Dr.  Elders.  My  financial  interest  was  a  salary,  Senator,  for  serv- 
ing— I  was  providing  medical  care  at  that  nursing  home.  I  had  no 
financial  interest  in  that  nursing  home. 

Senator  Coats.  All  right.  So  your  financial— whatever  you'd  call 
it,  financial  interest,  or  whatever — the  financial  connection  with 
the  Mercy  Nursing  Home  was  that  you  were  providing  nursing 
care 

Dr.  Elders.  Yes. 

Senator  Coats.  — to  the  nursing  home? 

Dr.  ELDERS.  No.  Senator,  I  am  a  physician.  I  was  providing  medi- 
cal care. 

Senator  Coats.  Well,  I'm  sorry.  I  misspoke.  You  were  providing 
medical  care 

Dr.  Elders.  That's  correct. 

Senator  Coats.  — to  patient  in  that  nursing  home. 

Dr.  Elders.  Yes. 

Senator  Coats.  And  you  did  so  while  you  were  State  health  di- 
rector for  the  State  of  Arkansas? 

Dr.  Elders.  Probably,  yes,  for  9  months  or  so.  It  closed  not  too 
long  after  I  become — well,  months  after  I  became  health  director. 

Senator  Coats.  All  right.  The  Washington  Post  said  you  served 
as  medical  director  of  the  nursing  home  for  18  years. 

Dr.  Elders.  Yes,  that's  correct. 

Senator  Coats.  I  don't  understand  the  differences.  Didn't  you 
just  say  9  months? 

Dr.  Elders.  But  I  wasn't  the  health  director  for  18  years. 

Senator  Coats.  All  right.  You  served  as  medical  director  for  18 
years  at  the  Mercy  Nursing  Home. 

Dr.  ELDERS.  That's  correct. 

Senator  Coats.  And  did  you  receive  a  salary  during  that  18 
years? 

Dr.  Elders.  Yes. 


71 

Senator  Coats.  All  right.  I  am  still  a  little  bit  confused  about  the 
9  months. 

Dr.  Elders.  After  I  became  health-  director,  the  nursing  home 
closed,  I  think,  the  following  year. 

Senator  COATS.  Fm  sorry.  After  you  became  health  director  for 
the  State  of  Arkansas,  the  nursing  home  closed. 

Dr.  Elders.  Yes. 

Senator  Coats.  All  right.  And  then  you  terminated,  obviously, 
your  service  there. 

Dr.  Elders.  Yes. 

Senator  Coats.  Now,  in  1990,  we  are  not  able  to  get  hold  of— 
I  believe  you  are  required  under  Arkansas  law  to  file  financial  dis- 
closure statements— but  we  cannot  find  your  1990  financial  disclo- 
sure statement. 

Dr.  Elders.  I  can't  find  it,  either. 

Senator  Coats.  So  it  is  lost? 

Dr.  Elders.  I  assume  it  is  lost.  Senator.  My  secretary  has  looked 
for  it;  the  secretary  of  the  State  nas  looked  for  it.  We  don't  remem- 
ber them  ever  asking  about  it  again,  and  I  can't  remember — I  usu- 
ally file  them  every  year. 

Senator  Coats.  Whom  is  it  filed  with  in  the  State  of  Arkansas — 
the  secretary  of  State? 

Dr.  Elders.  The  secretary  of  State. 

Senator  Coats.  And  they  have  no  record  of  it? 

Dr.  Elders.  No.  That's  where  we  went  for  the  files,  and  they 
said  that  they  couldn't  find  it.  I  don't  know 

Senator  Coats.  Is  it  possible  it  wasn't  filed? 

Dr.  Elders.  That  is  possible,  Senator,  but  I  really  can't  remem- 
ber. And  it  is  not  a  complicated  form.  Nothing  changed  on  it.  So 

Senator  Coats.  But  there  is  no  copy,  no  record? 

Dr.  Elders.  Well,  we  can't  find  it,  Senator.  We  looked. 

Senator  Coats.  And  that's  the  same  period  in  which  the  nursing 
home  became  insolvent— did  it  become  insolvent? 

Dr.  Elders.  Fm  not  sure  it  became  insolvent  The  person  who 
owned  the  nursing  home  sold  her  right  to  have  a  nursing  home, 
and  all  of  the  patients  were  subsequently  moved,  and  someone  else 
used  her — it's  called  something;  I  can't  remember — to  keep  from 
overbuilding  in  Arkansas,  there  has  to  be  a  certificate  of  need,  and 
the  certificate  of  need  was  sold.  So  all  the  patients  were  moved,  so 
there  was  no  nursing  home. 

Senator  Coats.  All  right.  If  I  could,  let  me  follow  up  on  Senator 
Kassebaum's  points  that  she  was  going  to  make,  because  I  agree 
with  her,  and  I  think  you  did,  too,  in  that  the  Surgeon  General 
plays  kind  of  a  unique  role  in  our  Nation.  The  influence  of  the  Sur- 
geon General  is  largely  persuasion,  and  generally,  what  I  think  the 
Surgeon  General  tries  to  do  is  educate  the  public  as  to  public 
health  hazards  and  healthy  practices.  And  for  the  most  part,  I 
think  its  greatest  power,  I  guess,  has  been  moral  persuasion,  moral 
leadership,  trying  to  build  a  consensus.  And  you  indicated  that  you 
thought  that  that  was  important. 

There  are  a  number  of  issues  that  you  have  spoken  out  on,  and 
Senator  Kassebaum  raised  some  quotes  on  a  couple  of  them,  where 
I  think  it  raises  into  question  whether  it  is  consensus  building  or 


72 

dividing.  You  know,  we  on  this  panel  have  fundamental  disagree- 
ments over  the  issue  of  abortion.  I  think  our  challenge  is  to  discuss 
those  disagreements  in  a  serious  but  civil  way  without  trying  to  at- 
tack motives. 

When  we  talk  about  contraceptives,  and  whether  that  is  the  best 
way  to  approach  the  problem  of  teen  pregnancy,  there  are  many  of 
us  who  are  concerned  that  just  promoting  condoms  as  a  solution  to 
the  problem  can  actually  promote  promiscuity,  and  you  can  see 
how  easily  statements  can  be  taken  out  of  context. 

Dr.  Elders.  Senator,  if  I  might  say  something,  if  I  might  inter- 
rupt you  for  just  a  moment. 

Senator  Coats.  Sure. 

Dr.  Elders.  One  of  the  things  in  regard  to  condoms — I  think  if 
they  would  read  Arkansas  papers  very  carefully,  they  would  also 
find  a  statement  that  I  said  that  I  am  a  physician,  and  if  I  thought 
just  passing  out  condoms  would  solve  the  teenage  pregnancy  prob- 
lem, I  would  go  out  on  the  Mall — and  I  am  a  doctor,  and  I  can — 
and  iust  pass  out  condoms.  But  I  know  that  that  will  not  solve  the 
problem.  So  I  am  not  about  just  passing  out  condoms.  That  has 
never  been  what  I  have  been  about.. 

Senator,  in  some  of  our  very  poor  areas,  we  also  had  young  peo- 
ple trying  to  help  to  protect  themselves  who  could  not  afford  or 
could  not  get  to  the  store  or  did  not  have  condoms,  Senator,  who 
were  using  saran  wrap  for  condoms  to  try  to  protect  themselves. 

So  what  I  have  been  about,  and  I  always  say  every  time,  I  am 
about  six  things.  I  have  never  been  about  any  single  thing.  And  I 
think  you  and  I  discussed  those — early  childhood  education,  com- 
prehensive health  education,  parenting  education,  educating  our 
parents,  teaching  our  young  men  to  be  responsible,  comprehensive 
school-based  health  services,  and  providing  programs  that  offer 
children  hope.  And  I  think  we  need  all  of  those;  no  single  one  of 
those  would  solve  the  problem. 

Senator  Coats.  Well,  I  appreciate  you  saying  that,  and  I  also  ap- 
preciated your  comments  regarding  abstinence.  I  think,  unfortu- 
nately, whatever  you  have  said  in  that  regard  relative  to  address- 
ing the  very  serious  problem  of  unwanted  pregnancies  has  not  been 
highlighted  or  reported  or  given  primary  emphasis — at  least  in  the 
press,  it  has  not.  But  all  the  emphasis  has  been  on  condoms  as  the 
primary  preventive.  And  I  think  that  discourages  several  of  us  for 
a  couple  of  reasons. 

One,  I  think  it  totally  avoids  the  moral  question.  Second,  we 
know  that  condoms  are  not  failsafe,  and  we  know  that  sexually- 
transmitted  diseases  can  pass  through  condoms.  We  know  that 
there  is  a  failure  rate  of  10  to  15  percent,  or  whatever — Planned 
Parenthood  says  15.7  percent  in  their  latest  missive,  and  much, 
much  higher  for  group-specific  failure  areas.  Other  groups  say  it  is 
higher,  other  groups  say  it  is  lower.  We  know  they  are  not  failsafe. 

We  know  that  the  AIDS  virus  can  be  passed  through  condoms, 
and  we  know  that  they  break,  and  we  know  that  they  slip,  and  we 
know  that  they  are  not  properly  used.  So  the  last  thing  we  want 
to  do  is  leave  a  message  that  all  you've  got  to  do  is  use  condoms, 
and  you  are  safe.  You  may  be  safer,  but  you  are  not  safe. 

I  think  an  awful  lot  of  young  people  in  our  society  today  think 
that,  oh,  the  solution  to  AIDS,  STD,  pregnancy  is  condoms.  I  am 


73 

not  sure  we  are  really  educating  them  on  the  fact  that  we've  got 
a  lot  of  pregnant  women  and  a  lot  of  people  with  STD,  various 
types  of  sexually-transmitted  diseases,  and  people  with  AIDS  who 
used  condoms  and  thought  that  they  were  protected. 

So  I  was  happy  to  hear  you  say  that  abstinence  is  important,  and 
it  really  ought  to  be  a  primary  message.  In  fact,  if  you  are  telling 
a  young  girl  if  you  really  want  to  be  safe — and  I  am  just  talking 
from  the  medical  standpoint  now,  not  the  moral  standpoint — but  2* 
you  really  want  to  be  safe,  don't  count  on  condoms. 

So  perhaps  it  has  been  misstated,  or  perhaps  only  those  quotes 
about  condoms  are  the  ones  that  have  been  quoted,  but  I  was 
happy  to  hear  you  say  that  about  abstinence.  And  you  used  the  ex- 
amples of  we  teach 

Dr.  Elders.  Senator,  may  I  respond  to  the  abstinence  problem? 

Senator  Coats.  Sure. 

Dr.  ELDERS.  I  think  that  we  all  support  abstinence,  we  all  want 
abstinence.  I  know  that  that  is  what  I  feel  we  should  all  be  about. 
And  if  you  find  out  the  magic  bullet  on  how  to  be  abstinent,  what 
I  want  more  than  anything  else  as  your  Surgeon  General  is  to  real- 
ly be  able  to  reduce  or  eradicate  AIDS,  sexually-transmitted  dis- 
ease, and  to  make  every  child  a  planned,  wanted  child.  And  if  I 
knew  how  to  do  that,  listen,  whatever  it  took  is  exactly  what  I 
would  do. 

We  know  that  condoms  are  not  100  percent.  The  only  thing  that 
is  100  percent  is  abstinence.  But  we  know  that  many  of  our  chil- 
dren are  not  being  abstinent.  And  I  want  you  to  know  that  given 
a  choice  between  a  young  woman  coming  in  and  saying,  "I  am  preg- 
nant," and  whether  or  not  she  uses  contraceptives,  most  mothers 
I  know  would  get  up  at  midnight  and  go  out  and  buy  them  for  their 
children  themselves;  no  mother  wants  to  hear  that  her  child  is 
pregnant.  And  I  think  we  always  get  bound  up  in  abortion,  Sen- 
ator, but  the  real  issue  is  preventing  the  pregnancy.  Then  abortion 
becomes  a  nonissue. 

I  know  that  nothing  is  failure-proof,  but  I  feel  that  we  have  to 
protect,  and  we  use  the  best  resources  we've  got.  I  know  you  have 
insurance  on  your  home,  I  know  you  have  insurance  on  your  car, 
but  you  would  not  go  out  and  burn  your  house  down  or  wreck  your 
car  just  to  collect  the  insurance.  And  that  is  why  I  feel  that  we 
have  to  look  at  condoms  as  a  protective  measure.  We  don't  fight 
wars,  we  don't  make  guns  to  kill  people.  We  have  guns  to  protect 
our  country. 

So  it's  the  best  we've  got.  While  it  is  imperfect,  it  is  the  best 
we've  got. 

Senator  Coats.  Well,  I  too  understand  the  realities  of  what  we 
are  dealing  with  with  young  people  today,  and  the  messages  that 
are  shouting  at  them  to  go  ahead  and  do  it;  everybody  else  is.  But 
in  your  position  as  Surgeon  General,  you  really  will  have  an  oppor- 
tunity to  exert  moral  leadership  as  well  as  practical  public  health 
directives.  I  know  your  brother  does  that  from  the  pulpit.  I  know 
many,  many  pastors  do  that  from  the  pulpit.  I  know  many  kids 
don't  go  to  church  and  listen  to  those  messages.  And  while  they 
might  not  go  to  your  brothers  church,  they  might  listen  to  the  Sur- 
geon General  on  that  subject.  So  I  hope  you  are  eloquent  on  the 
subject  of  abstinence,  knowing  that  that  is  a  message  that  not  ev- 


74 

eryone  is  going  to  heed — but  maybe  some  will,  and  maybe  some  of 
those  who  will  will  avoid  the  tragic,  consequences  that  come  from 
even  failure  of  preventive  measures. 

Now,  in  that  vein,  I  wonder  if  I  could  just  quote  to  you  a  couple 
of  other  quotes  and  give  you  the  opportunity  to  say,  "Well,  that's 
not  what  I  said,"  or  maybe  it's  in  a  different  context,  or  whatever, 
because  I  did  see  these  as  divisive,  and  I  think  if  we  are  agreed 
that  consensus  building  is  important  and  educating  is  important, 
we  ought  to  make  sure  that  all  of  us — the  people  on  this  side  of 
the  dais  as  well  as  that  side  of  the  dais — try  to  avoid  those  state- 
ments that  get  to  motives  or  are  misconstrued  or  are  seen  as  polar- 
izing and  divisive. 

For  instance,  you  are  quoted  again  in  the  Washington  Post  as 
saying:  "Pro-lifers  are  very  religious  non-Christians.  Yes,  they  love 
little  Babies  as  long  as  they  are  in  somebody  else's  uterus."  You  are 
quoted  as  saying:  Most  of  our  society  believes  that  a  baby  is  God's 
just  punishment  for  fornication.  I  am  going  to  keep  using  him  to 
grind  in  that  punishment  to  you." 

Did  you  say  that,  and  do  you  really  believe  that? 

Dr.  Elders.  The  first  statement,  Senator,  I  certainly  did  make, 
but — I'm  sorry,  would  you  mind — my  brain  must  dying  off 

Senator  Coats.  "Pro-lifers  are  very  religious  non-Christians." 

Dr.  Elders.  All  right.  Let  me  tell  you  why  I  said — and  I  don't 
think  I  ever— "pro-lifers"  is  not  a  statement  that  I  use  very  often, 
Senator,  so  if  that  was  the  way  it  was  worded,  that's  not  what  I 
said.  I  really  said— I  think  it's  more  likely  that  I  said  "the  right  to 
life  is  really  the"— what  I  probably  would  have  said— "very  reli- 
gious non-Christian  right."  ,  u 

The  reason  why  I  would  say  "very  religious  non-Christian  right, 
Senator,  is  that  in  Arkansas— I  don't  know  what  they  do  in  your 
State— but  what  they  do  is  they  fight  against  health  education, 
they  fight  against  welfare,  they  fight  against  Medicaid,  but  they  al- 
ways want  to  have  the  children  born,  but  they  do  not  want  to  sup- 
port children  after  they  are  here.  And  that  was  probably  where  the 
^ove  affair  with  the  fetus"  may  have  come  in,  because  I  looked  on 
it  as  an  affair,  that  is,  a  short-term  commitment;  whereas  with 
children,  that's  forever.  That  is  a  very  long-term  commitment.  And 
in  my  State,  I  have  not  seen  them  out  working  for  programs  to 
help  poor  mothers.  And  if  we  had  a  society  where  everybody  was 
provided  health  care,  a  decent  place  to  live,  and  an  adequate  edu- 
cation, then  Senator,  we  would  be  taking  care  of  all  people.  But  in 
Arkansas,  in  my  State,  I  don't  see  these  kinds  of  commitments. 

Senator  Coats.  Well,  all  right.  The  Los  Angeles  Times  quoted 
you  as  saying:  TVlost  of  our  society  believes  a  baby  is  God's  just 
punishment  for  fornication."  Do  you  really  believe  most  of  our  soci- 
ety believes  that?  - 

Dr.  Elders.  I  would  have  never  said  "most  of  our  society.  I 
would  have  been  restricting  it  probably  to  a  very  narrow  group. 

Senator  Coats.  But  you  are  quoted  as  saying  "most  of  our  soci- 

Dr.  Elders.  Senator,  if  I  would  talk  about  the  number  of  times 
that  I  have  been  misquoted— and  I  am  sure  maybe  you  have  not 
been  misquoted — but  I  would  say  that 

Senator  Coats.  OK  So  you  didn't 


75 

Dr.  Elders.  But  I  don't  mind 

Senator  Coats.  You  didn't  say  that.  The  Los  Angeles  Times 
is 

Dr.  Elders.  I  probably  didn't  say  "most  of  our  society."  But  I  did 
say  that  there  are  people  in  our  society  who  look  at  having  a  baby, 
a  pregnancy,  as  just  punishment  for  fornication. 

Senator  Coats.  "God's  just  punishment  for  fornication." 

Dr.  ELDERS.  Well,  I  might  have  said  "God's  just  punishment."  All 
right. 

Senator  Coats.  Because  in  the  Berkeley  Law  Journal  in  an  arti- 
cle you  wrote 

Dr.  Elders.  Thaf  s  right. 

Senator  Coats.  — and  this  one,  I  assume,  was  not  misquoted — 
"We  have  refused  to  make  a  commitment  to  solving  the  crisis  of 
teenage  motherhood  because  we  view  pregnancy  as  just  punish- 
ment for  the  sin  of  premarital  sex." 

Dr.  Elders.  I  did  say  that. 

Senator  Coats.  And  do  you  believe  that? 

Dr.  ELDERS.  I  wrote  it,  and  I  did  say  it,  yes,  sir. 

Senator  Coats.  So  in  essence,  the  Los  Angeles  Times,  maybe  a 
word  is  off  here  or  there,  but  that's  what  you  were  trying  to  say, 
I  assume. 

Dr.  Elders.  What  I  wrote,  Senator,  was — that  was  why  I  was 
questioning — I  guess  there  are  certain  things  I  don't  recognize  as 
what  I  said,  but  what  you  read  out  of  the  Berkeley  Law  Journal 
is  exactly  what  I  meant. 

Senator  Coats.  Well,  Tm  not  about  to  get  into  the  theological 
correctness  or  incorrectness  of  that  conclusion.  The  point  I  am  try- 
ing to  make  is  that  to  many  people  whose  faith  is  very  important 
to  them,  they  view  that  as  a  very  divisive,  radicalizing,  polarizing 
statement,  and  "those  are  fighting  words." 

Dr.  ELDERS.  Senator,  my  iaith  is  very  important  to  me,  too. 

Senator  Coats.  Let  me  just  turn  to  one  other  area  of  quotes,  and 
I  can  probably  stop  at  that.  You  said:  "In  the  17  years  that  abortion 
has  been  legal  nationwide,  it  has  had  an  important  and  positive  ef- 
fect on  public  health."  Do  you  really  believe  abortion  has  had  a 
positive  public  health  effect?  I  mean,  many  of  us  see  that  as  a  trag- 
edy. We  see  teen  pregnancy  as  a  tragedy. 

Dr.  Elders.  I  see  teen  pregnancy  as  a  tragedy.  I  see  abortion  as 
a  tragedy.  And  Senator,  my  whole  effort — tine  only  efforts  I  have 
made  and  will  continue  to  make — is  really  to  try  to  avoid  teenage 
pregnancy.  I  feel  that  if  we  stop  talking  about  abortion  and  start 
putting  our  efforts  on  how  do  we  prevent  unplanned  pregnancies, 
we  can  begin  to  make  real  progress  in  our  society. 

Senator  Coats.  I  raise  that  because  you  had  also  indicated  before 
this  committee  in  your  testimony  in  1990  on  the  Freedom  of  Choice 
Act,  you  said:  "Abortion  has  reduced  the  number  of  children  af- 
flicted with  severe  defects.  The  number  of  Down's  Syndrome  in- 
fants in  Washington  State  in  1976  was  64  percent  lower  than  it 
would  have  been  without  legal  abortion,"  to  which  the  Down's  Syn- 
drome Congress  replied:  "Does  this  mean  Dr.  Elders  feels  children 
with  Down's  Syndrome  are  not  worthy  of  life  in  our  society?" 

Dr.  Elders.  Absolutely  not,  Senator.  The  statement  was  in  fact 
a  statement  of  fact.  The  number  is  a  fact.  But  I  have  had  many 


76 

patients  that  I  have  cared  for  with  Down's  Syndrome.  My  favorite 
uncle,  my  nephew,  has  Down's  Syndrome.  He  is  presently  20-plus 
years  old'— a  wonderful,  lovable  child. 

I  feel,  Senator — I  think  we  were  talking  about  the  Freedom  of 
Choice  Act  when  I  spoke — I  feel  that  people  should  be  able  to  make 
that  choice.  I  do  not  feel  that  I  know  enough  about  other  people's 
lives  to  make  that  choice  for  them.  I  am  not  good  enough  to  make 
that  choice,  and  Senator,  I  don't  feel  that  I  love  enough  to  make 
that  choice.  I  feel  that  that  is  a  choice  that  they  have  to  make  be- 
tween themselves,  their  significant  other,  and  their  God.  It  should 
not  be  made  by  me. 

Senator  Coats.  Well,  having  just  said  that,  let  me  ask  you  this, 
then.  In  an  interview  with  Bryant  Gumbel  on  December  30,  1992, 
you  said,  "If  you  wanted  to  keep  kids  healthy,  you  had  no  choice 
but  to  take  command  of  their  sexuality  at  the  first  sign  of  puberty. 
I  would  tell  them,"  you  said,  "you  are  going  to  have  two  good  ba- 
bies, and  I'm  going  to  decide  when  you're  going  to  have  them." 

How  does  that  square  with  what  you  just  said  about  not  being 
in  a  position  to  make  a  choice? 

Dr.  Eldeks.  Senator,  I  know  those  two  things  were  never  said 
together  in  an  interview  with  anybody.  About  the  "two  good  ba- 
bies," we  were  talking  about  children  with  diabetes.  I  am  a  pedi- 
atric endocrinologist.  I  took  care  of  young  children  with  diabetes, 
and  I  did  not  want  them  involved,  Senator,  in  having  babies  before 
they  were  ready  to  have  babies.  I  wanted  them  to  be  in  good  con- 
trol, and  I  wanted  them  to  have  very  healthy  babies.  So,  when  they 
began  puberty,  with  their  parents  sitting  in  the  room — and  there 
were  probably  500  parents  all  over  Arkansas  who  would  come — we 
talked  about  the  things  that  would  go  on  and  what  would  happen. 
And  every  time  I  ever  talked  to  any  parent  of  a  child  who  had  dia- 
betes, all  I  saw  was  sitting  in  the  chair,  nodding.  And  some  of 
them,  when  they  were  going  to  get  married,  we  talked  about  it;  we 
would  make  sure  their  hemoglobin  A-l-Cs  were  right;  we  would 
sometimes  change  them  to  put  them  on  a  pump.  So  I  very  strongly 
felt  that  I  wanted  them  to  have  two  good,  healthy  babies.  We  are 
not  talking  about  abortions.  We  are  talking  about  pregnancy. 

Senator  Coats.  Well,  I  think  it  is  important  that  you  have  an  op- 
portunity to  clarify  that.  I  mean,  it  is  quoted  by  some  pretty  rep- 
utable sources — New  York  Times,  Washington  Post,  L.A.  Times. 

Dr.  Elders.  And  Bryant  Gumbel  never  talked  with  me  of  some- 
thing of  that  sort. 

Senator  Coats.  I  just  have  one  more  area,  Mr.  Chairman,  unless 
you  want  to— 

The  Chairman.  I  would  just  ask  regarding  diabetes,  the  inci- 
dence of  high-risk  pregnancy  for  diabetics  is  much  higher;  is  that 
correct? 

Dr.  Elders.  Oh,  yes,  sir. 

The  Chairman.  I  mean,  this  is  a  medical  phenomenon,  the  dif- 
ficulties diabetics  face  when  they  have  children. 

Dr.  Elders.  Yes,  absolutely.  Any  woman,  especially  those  who 
have  juvenile  diabetes,  has  a  far  higher  risk  of  having  a  child  who 
is  born — they  may  be  born  big,  but  they  are  premature.  They  have 
a  far  greater  risk  of  having  congenital  malformation  if  they  are  not 
well-controlled  at  the  time  of  their  pregnancy,  and  they  have  a  far 


77 

greater  difficulty  with  their  pregnancy.  So  we  have  really  tried  to 
plan  very  carefully,  plan  the  pregnancy  such  that  they  would  be  in 
control  and  that  we  would  try  to  Keep  them  very 

The  Chairman.  So  that  they  have  the  best  opportunity  to  have 
a  healthy  baby. 

Dr.  Elders.  Absolutely. 

Senator  Coats.  One  last  issue — this  whole  question  of  defective 
condoms.  And  I  know  that  we  touched  on  it  earlier,  but  Fd  like  to 
just  ask  a  couple  of  questions  about  that. 

The  condoms,  as  I  understand  it,  were  purchased  from  Ansel, 
who  sold  them  under  the  brand  name  of  "Lifestyle,"  and  you  had 
purchased — according  to  Associated  Press — over  one  million  "Life- 
style" condoms  were  purchased  by  your  health  department.  The 
Food  and  Drug  Administration  then  found  a  defective  rate  of  ten 
times  higher  than  that  set  by  the  Food  and  Drug  Administration; 
in  fact,  50  per  1,000  were  found  to  be  defective. 

The  FDA  approved  recommendation  for  recall  of  the  condoms, 
but  no  recall  was  ever  made,  nor  was  the  Arkansas  public  who  was 
given  these  condoms  ever  informed  that  these  were  defective. 

I  guess  my  question  is  why  didn't  you  feel  an  obligation  or  re- 
sponsibility to  warn  those  young  girls,  or  boys,  or  whomever  had 
those  condoms  that  they  were  carrying  a  loaded  gun? 

Dr.  Elders.  Senator,  I  think  the  AP  may  not  have  reported  it 
correctly,  but  it  was  the  Arkansas  Department  of  Health  that  re- 
ported the  defective  condoms  to  the  FDA. 

Senator  Coats.  OK  But  why  weren't  those  who  had  to  use 
them — I  mean,  the  FDA  wasn't  going  to  use  the  condoms,  and  they 
weren't  at  risk 

Dr.  Elders.  And  the  FDA  was  going  to  force  a  recall,  but  the 
company  volunteered  to  recall  the  condoms  and  bring  them  back  in. 

Senator  Coats.  Did  the  company  do  that? 

Dr.  Elders.  Yes. 

Senator  Coats.  Was  there  a  public  campaign  in  Arkansas  to  in- 
form those  who  had  been  given  condoms  that  these  were  defective 
and  that  potentially 

Dr.  Elders.  No,  sir,  there  was  no  public  campaign. 

Senator  Coats.  How  were  they  to  know,  then? 

Dr.  ELDERS.  Well,  we  looked  at  the  number  that  was  out,  and  we 
made  the  decision,  whether  it  be  right  or  wrong,  we  made  the  deci- 
sion considering  the  number  of  condoms  from  that  group  that  was 
out  that  it  was  in  the  greater  public  good — and  sometimes,  you  as 
a  public  health  official  have  to  make  decisions  that  you  consider  in 
the  greater  public  good  as  opposed  to  an  individual. 

Senator  Coats.  Well,  how  can  it  be  in  the  greater  public  good 
when  you  are  running  a  risk  of  50  failures  per  1,000  of  not  only 
an  unwanted  pregnancy,  but  a  lifetime  sexually-transmitted  dis- 
ease, or  even  AIDS?  How  could  that  be  in  the  greater  public  good? 

Dr.  Elders.  Well,  of  course,  you  have  just  been  fighting  me 
about  condoms,  and  I  have  been  trying  to  tell  you  that  it  was  50 
per  1,000,  but  it  would  be  1,000  per  1,000  if  they  didn't  use 
condoms. 

Senator  Coats.  But  we  are  talking  about  a  defective  condom 
now.  We  are  talking  about  General  Motors  saying  you  keep  driving 


78 

that  car,  and  you  may  die  in  a  head-on  crash  because  your  brakes 
fail,  and  then  informing  the  State  and  the  State  not  doing  anything 
about  it.  I  mean,  if  I  were  a  parent 

Dr.  Elders.  Senator,  we  made  a  public  health  decision.  It  may 
have  been  the  wrong  decision,  but  that  was  the  decision.  After  con- 
ferring with  the  FDA,  conferring  with  our  top-level  staff  in  Arkan- 
sas, that  was  the  public  health  decision  that  we  made. 

Senator  Coats.  Do  you  still  believe  it  was  the  right  decision? 

Dr.  Eldehs.  Yes,  I  do. 

Senator  Coats.  Even  knowing  that  potentially  some  young  peo- 

§le  using  these  could  get  AIDS,  and  it  could  be  a  life  and  death 
ecisionf 

Dr.  Elders.  Again,  there  were  very  few  of  those  condoms,  Sen- 
ator, that  were  out,  and  the  other  thing  that  we — we  changed;  we 
recalled  them,  we  exchanged,  and  we  got  new  batches  of  condoms 
for  our  health  departments,  and  we  felt  that  really,  creating  a 
major  scare  over  a  whole  State  would  markedly  reduce  the — make 
everybody  afraid  of  the  condoms  and  not  use  the  condoms  of  the 
health  department.  So  that  was  the  decision  we  made. 

Senator  Coats.  Well,  the  only  condoms  you  turned  in  were  those 
that  were  in  the  possession  of  the  Arkansas  Public  Health  Depart- 
ment; right? 

Dr.  Elders.  But  all  the  condoms  that  were  given  out  were  in  the 
possession  of  the  Arkansas  Public  Health  Department,  and  where- 
as they  may  have  been  out,  they  are  out  in  our  public  health  clin- 
ics. 

Senator  Coats.  Yes,  but  what  about  those  that  had  already  been 
handed  out  to  the  young  people? 

Dr.  Elders.  Yes,  well.  Senator,  those  were  out. 

Senator  Coats.  In  your  position  as  Surgeon  General,  if  a  similar 
situation  arose,  would  you  make  the  same  decision? 

Dr.  Elders.  Senator,  I  would  pull  all  of  the  people  that  I  felt  I 
needed  around  me  to  help  me  evaluate  the  decision,  and  I  would 
always  try  to  make  the  decision  that  was  what  I  felt  was  in  the 
best  public  health  interest. 

Senator  Coats.  Well,  how  about  as  a  mother?  What  if  your  chil- 
dren had  picked  up  some  of  those  condoms  at  school,  and  you  later 
found  out  that  no  one  bothered  to  notify  you  or  your  child  that 
those  condoms  had  a  failure  rate  of  ten  times  what  FDA  rec- 
ommended? Wouldn't  you  be  a  little  bit  upset  about  that,  and  if 
someone  said,  "Well,  I  made  the  decision  in  the  best  interest  of  Ar- 
kansas public  health,"  wouldn't  you  as  a  mother  be  a  little  upset? 

Dr.  Elders.  Senator,  the  decisions  I  make  as  a  mother,  the  deci- 
sions that  I  make  as  a  private  citizen,  and  the  decisions  that  I 
make  as  a  public  health  official  are  sometimes  different. 

Senator  Coats.  Well,  in  this  case,  don't  you  see  some  potential 
tragic  consequences  of  making  a  distinction  between  the  difference 
of  public  health  director  and  deciding  not  to  recall  a  condom  that 
can  provide  death,  or  unwanted  pregnancy,  or  as  a  mother? 

Dr.  Elders.  We  did  recall  all  of  the — all  of  the  condoms  out  of 
those  groups,  Senator,  I  have  told  you  were  picked  up 

Senator  Coats.  But  wouldn't  you  want— didn't  you  think  that 
you  ought  to  notify  people  that 

The  Chairman.  Well,  Senator 


79 


Senator  Coats.  I  mean,  when  you've  got  a  potentially  deadly 

The  Chairman.  Senator,  I  think  we  are  going  to  have  to  take  a 
break.  I  mean,  I  have  listened  to  the  answer  three  times.  I  am  glad 
to  do  whatever  you  want  to  do,  but  I  thought  you  were  on  the 

last 

Senator  Coats.  Well,  you  are  right.  The  answer  is  no,  and  I 
guess  I  shouldn't  keep  pushing  her. 

The  Chairman.  If  I  could  ask,  just  very  briefly — and  then,  if 
there  are  other  questions,  we'll  have  those — the  first  complaint  of 
condom  breakage  was  received  in  the  fall  of  1990.  The  health  de- 
partment sent  samples  to  the  supplier  for  testing.  The  supplier  in- 
formed the  department  that  the  condoms  met  specifications,  as  I 
understand  it;  is  that  right? 

Dr.  Elders.  That's  right. 

The  Chairman.  The  first  complaint,  complaint  number  one,  your 
department  took  action  and  sent  it  back  to  the  manufacturer.  They 
said  that  they  met  the  specifications. 

Then,  between  February  1991  and  June  24,  the  department  re- 
ceived four  additional  complaints — four 

Dr.  Elders.  Yes,  sir. 

The  CHAHtMAN.  — about  condom  breakage.  On  July  21,  the 
health  department  stopped  distribution  and  requested  the  return  of 
all  the  condoms  at  the  public  health  clinics. 

So  you  readied  out  to  all  the  public  health  clinics  and  brought 
those  back. 

Dr.  Elders.  Yes,  sir. 

The  Chakman.  Essentially,  the  department  took  the  action  on 
the  basis  of  only  five  complaints.  Although  the  condoms  were  dis- 
tributed nationwide,  no  other  complaints  were  made  to  FDA. 

Dr.  Elders.  That  s  correct. 

The  Chae&MAN.  No  other  department  of  health  in  the  country 
made  complaints,  according  to  our  records. 

Dr.  ELDERS.  That's  correct,  Senator. 

The  Chairman.  Yours  did. 

Dr.  Elders.  Yes,  sir. 

The  Chaeiman.  Now,  following  the  action  by  the  health  depart- 
ment, the  department  notified  the  FDA,  and  FDA  tested  the  sam- 
ples of  the  condoms,  found  them  to  be  defective,  approved  a  seizure 
recommendation,  and  the  seizure  recommendation  was  voided 
when  the  company  voluntarily  withdrew  all  the  lots  of  the  condoms 
in  question.  Is  that  right? 

Dr.  Elders.  That's  correct 

The  Chatoman.  Now,  this  is  the  second  area.  You  were  not  able 
to  notify  all  of  the  individual  clients;  is  that  correct 

Dr.  Elders.  That's  right,  Senator. 

The  Chakman.  — because  they  are  distributed  in  public  health 
clinics. 

Dr.  Elders.  Yes,  sir. 

The  Chaeiman.  So  you  don't  know  all  the  people  who  have  gotten 
them  because  you  don't  have  records  of  who  received  them  all.  But 
you  did  withdraw  all  those  that  you  had  contact  with. 

Dr.  Elders.  Yes,  sir. 

The  Chaeiman.  So  the  question  is  did  the  FDA,  did  the  Federal 
Food  and  Drug  Administration  issue  a  public  information  release? 


80 

Dr.  Elders.  Not  that  I  know  about,  Senator.  We  didn't  receive 
one. 

The  Chairman.  The  Food  and  Drug  Administration  did  not.  Well, 
it  seems  to  me  we  ought  to  be  finding  out  what  happened  with  the 
FDA  on  this.  [Applause.]  Now,  it  is  a  public  health  issue  and  ques- 
tion whether,  after  making  a  judgment  about  how  many  have  been 
distributed  and  what  is  the  nature  of  the  risk  and  how  many  are 
out  there,  versus,  as  I  would  imagine,  whether  by  issuing  the  pub- 
lic information  release,  you  are  going  to  find  that  other  people 
might  say,  "Well,  these  other  condoms  might  not  be  effective,  and 
therefore  we  won't  use  them,"  and  create  a  public  health  issue.  Is 
that  correct? 

Dr.  ELDERS.  I  think  that's  correct. 

The  Chairman.  These  are  tough  calls.  There  was  the  difference 
between  the  killed  and  the  live  vaccines  in  polio.  With  the  live  vac- 
cine, you  immunize  more  children,  but  you  are  going  to  have  a  very 
small  but  measurable  percentage  of  those  children  who  are  going 
to  get  polio.  How  do  you  look  a  parent  in  the  eves  and  say,  *^ell, 
your  child  got  vaccinated  and  got  polio,"  and  the  other  child  who 
was  immunized  did  not  get  it?  It  is  a  very  tough  ethical,  moral  pub- 
lic health  issue  and  decision  that  you  have  to  make,  and  as  I  un- 
derstand it,  you  handled  it  exceptionally  well. 

I  know  others  may  be  Monday  morning  quarterbacks  and  look 
back  on  this,  but  I  understand  your  answer  to  be  that  when  you 
have  public  health  issues  and  questions  like  this,  you  want  to  try 
to  bring  people  together  and  try  to  make  some  kind  of  judgment 
which  will  be  in  the  interest  of  the  public  health.  You  made  it  with 
regard  to  this  issue;  there  may  be  others  who  think  there  should 
have  been  a  different  judgment.  But  that  is  what  I  understand  the 
situation  to  be. 

Dr.  Elders.  That's  correct. 

Senator  Coats.  Mr.  Chairman,  could  I  just  ask  on  this  point 

The  Chairman.  Sure. 

Senator  Coats.  That  was  a  very  spirited  defense,  which  you  are 
very  good  at 

The  Chairman.  Well,  it  was  a  factual  statement. 

Senator  Coats.  Well,  Mr.  Chairman,  I  want  to  challenge  that  be- 
cause my  information  is  that  all  of  the  defective  condoms  discov- 
ered by  FDA  when  they  contacted  Ansel  were  in  five  lots,  and  all 
five  of  those  lots  were  purchased  only  by  the  Arkansas  Public 
Health  Department.  So  it  wasn't  a  matter  of  contacting  other 
States.  It  was  simply  a  matter  of  contacting  the  Arkansas  Public 
Health  Department. 

And  it  seems  to  me  that  whether  or  not  the  decision  was  made 
to  recall  them,  there  was  an  obligation  to  at  least  issue  a  notice. 
My  goodness,  if  we  have  defective  Tylenol,  they  put  a  public  service 
bulletin  out  and  say  don't  take  them— even  if  they  don't  get  all  of 
them  back  from  the  shelves  of  the  stores,  they  say,  "Don't  take 
them.  You  might  die."  And  it  would  seem  to  me  that  the  very  mini- 
mal obligation  ought  to  be  at  least  to  send  word  out  to  the  16-  and 
17-year-olds,  who  think  that  they've  got  a  condom  that  is  going  to 
protect  them,  that  when  you  have  been  told  that  they  are  defective, 
the  least  you  could  do  is  put  out  a  notice  saying  there  are  some  de- 
fective condoms  out  there,  and  if  you  have  any  question,  go  to  the 


81 

place  where  you  got  them,  and  well  replace  them.  That  seems  to 
me  to  be  the  least  of  the  responsibilities  we  have  with  the  young 
people  whom  we  give  the  defective  condoms  to. 

The  Chairman.  I  would  say  to  the  Senator  there  are  a  series  of 
lots.  There  is  no  indication  that  those  are  not  distributed  nation- 
wide. Why  don't  we  wrestle  with  this  ourselves 

Senator  Coats.  Yes.  It  is  factual  issue  well  have  to  determine. 

The  Chairman.  Td  be  glad  to,  but  it  is  my  understanding  that 
they  were  distributed  nationwide.  And  quite  frankly,  there  is  the 
issue  of  FDA's  policies  with  regard  to  this  particular  instance.  They 
talk  about  when  they  do  give  notification  and  when  they  don't,  and 
when  they  leave  these  matters  up  to  public  health  considerations. 
The  Senator  may  not  agree  with  the  decision  that  was  made  on  it, 
but  I  do  think  that  this  may  be  a  matter  of  sound  public  health. 
We  may  have  to  go  back  and  look  at  the  actions  of  the  Food  and 
Drug  Administration,  when  they  leave  these  kinds  of  issues  and 
questions  to  the  public  health  considerations  of  those  who  are  af- 
fected. 

The  nominee  made  a  judgment  on  public  health  grounds,  and  we 
have  a  number  of  people — and  I  will  put  their  statements  in  the 
record — who  support  that  public  health  decision,  and  there  will  be 
others  who  may  differ,  but  that  is  the  situation. 

I  want  to  just  touch  on  two  final  areas.  Since  there  has  been  such 
discussion  on  the  condoms,  I  want  to  include  in  the  record  excerpts 
from  Dr.  James  O.  Mason,  who  was  assistant  secretary  for  health 
for  President  Bush.  He  says:  "When  we  cannot  eliminate  risky  ac- 
tivities, we  must  attempt  to  modify  and  mitigate  them  and  their 
consequences.  This  public  health  role  is  what  brought  a  conserv- 
ative moralist,  C.  Everett  Koop,  our  former  SurgeonGeneral,  to  be- 
come an  outspoken  advocate  of  condoms."  Koop  was  Surgeon  Gen- 
eral during  the  Reagan-Bush  period,  and  James  Mason  was  assist- 
ant secretary  for  health  under  President  Bush. 

Mason  continues:  "The  tension  between  what  some  of  us  would 
prefer  that  children  and  adults  do  and  what  they  sometimes  actu- 
ally do  is  why  the  Public  Health  Service  continues  to  urge  absti- 
nence in  some  programs  and  yet  promotes  condoms  in  others." 

(The  material  referred  to  follows:] 

Administration  Support  for  Condom  Availability 

Excerpts  from:  Why  the  Government  Urges  Abstinence  and  Condoms 
dr.  james  o.  mason,  assistant  secretary  for  health 

I  am  convinced  by  my  experience  in  the  Public  Health  Service  that  certain  activi- 
ties that  I  would  caution  young  people  about  on  moral  grounds  are  also  a  clear  and 
serious  health  risk,  causing,  for  example,  about  40,000  to  80,000  deadly  new  infec- 
tions with  the  AIDS  virus  (HIV)  each  year. 

Of  course,  physicians  in  public  health  must  do  more  than  rail  against  such  activi- 
ties. When  we  cannot  eliminate  risky  activities,  we  must  attempt  to  modify  and 
mitigate  them  and  their  consequences.  This 'public-health  role  is  what  brought  a 
conservative  moralist,  C.  Everett  Koop,  our  former  surgeon  general,  to  become  an 
outspoken  advocate  of  condoms. 

He  didn't  change  his  moral  view,  but  his  public-health  view  reflected  a  world  in 
which  AIDS  is  the  No.  1  disease  killing  American  youth  and  a  world  in  which  many 
kids  are  likely  to  experiment  with  their  bodies  and  may  start  having  intercourse  be- 
tween the  ages  of  13  and  16. 

This  tension  between  what  some  of  us  would  prefer  that  children  and  adults  do 
and  what  they  sometimes  actually  do  is  why  the  Public  Health  Service  continues 
to  urge  abstinence  in  some  programs  and  yet  promotes  condoms  in  others. 


82 

To  appropriate  audiences,  the  need  to  meet  health  needs  may  also  lead  us  to  rec- 
ommend to  gay  men  certain  modifications  of  sexual  practices  that,  under  other  cir- 
cumstances and  with  other  audiences,  many  of  us  would  blush  to  describe. 

Primo  Levi,  the  Holocaust  survivor  and  chemist,  wrote,  "When  we  know  how  to 
reduce  the  torment,  but  do  not  do  it,  then  we  become  the  tormentors." 

We,  as  physicians,  immunize  what  we  can  and  treat  the  conditions  we  cannot  pre- 
vent. We  moderate  disorders  when  we  can  and  palliate  the  hurt  when  we  cannot. 
But  there  are  times  when  the  best  we  can  do  is  advise,  urge  and  recommend — and 
do  it  we  must. 

The  Chairman.  I  will  also  include  the  statement  of  Antonio 
Novello,  the  Surgeon  General  appointed  under  President  Bush, 
where  she  talks  about  HIV  and  adolescents,  and  urging  abstinence: 
"For  them,  we  must  not  fail  to  provide  adequate  instruction  on  cor- 
rect use  of  condoms." 

And  in  everything  I  have  heard  from  you,  you  have  been  talking 
about  abstinence  and  about  the  importance  of  values  and  respon- 
sibility on  these  issues  as  well. 

So  I  want  to  put  these  in  as  part  of  the  record  because  they  are 
very  clear  indications  of  what  the  previous  Surgeon  General's  posi- 
tion has  been  on  this  issue. 

[The  material  referred  to  follows  :]. 

Excerpts  from:  Teen-agers'  High-risk  Behavior  Courts  AIDS 

ANTONIA  C.  NOVELLO,  SURGEON  GENERAL 

While  ADDS  experts  confer  in  Amsterdam,  the  USA  needs  to  focus  on  curbing  the 
spread  of  the  virus  among  adolescents. 

Studies  indicate  the  average  age  of  first  sexual  experience  among  U.S.  adolescents 
is  16.  A  1990  survey  of  adolescents  by  the  Centers  for  Disease  Control  reported  the 
54%  were  sexually  active  before  finishing  high  school  and  19%  had  four  or  more 
partners. 

As  surgeon  general,  I  cannot  allow  the  spread  of  HIV  in  adolescents  to  continue 
unchecked.  We  must  impress  upon  our  young  people  that  abstinence  is  the  only  sure 
way  to  protect  themselves  from  acquiring  a  sexually  transmitted  disease  or  HTV. 
But  being  realistic,  I  believe  we  must  also  educate  our  youth  about  the  best  ways 
to  protect  themselves  if  they  choose  to  be  sexually  active.  For  them,  we  must  not 
fail  to  provide  adequate  instruction  on  correct  use  of  condoms  and  alert  them  to 
their  obligations  and  responsibilities  toward  their  sexual  partners.  Above  all,  we 
must  foster  in  them  a  cautious,  sensible  and  realistic  approach  to  sex. 

Excerpts  from  interview  with  President  Bush,  December  17,  1991 

Q:  What  about  condoms  to  teenagers? 

A:  "Look,  it's  dealer's  choice.  Let  them  try  it  out  there.  Would  I  want  this  as  a 
national  program,  something  at  the  federal  level?  No." 

Excerpts  from  Dr.  James  Curran,  Assistant  Surgeon  General  and  Deputy 

Director  for  HTV  at  the  CDC 

"Decisions  about  the  role  of  condoms  in  any  program  for  HTV  and  STD  prevention 
are  best  made  locally,  with  careful  attention  to  the  context  in  which  they  are  pre- 
sented. We  understand  that  the  Philadelphia  Board  of  Education  decided  that  Phila- 
delphia schools  could  provide  condoms  for  students.  The  CDC  recognizes  and  sup- 
ports the  right  of  each  affected  community  to  determine  the  course  of  action  most 
appropriate  to  prevent  HTV  infection  under  local  circumstances." 

Senator  Coats.  Can  we  keep  the  record  open  for  all  of  us  to  sub- 
mit like  documents  and  questions? 

The  Chairman.  You  bet,  absolutely.  We  will  keep  the  record 
open. 

I  must  say  that  of  the  many  things  that  impressed  me,  not  only 
do  you  know  the  percentage  of  young  teenage  women  who  are  preg- 


83 

nant,  but  you  also  know  the  percentage  of  teenagers  who  are  going 
to  church  on  Sunday.  I  think  that  is  very  impressive. 

Senator  Coats. 

Senator  Coats.  Those  are  all  the  questions  I  have,  Mr.  Chair- 
man. 

The  Chairman.  Senator  Kassebaum. 

Senator  Kassebaum.  I  have  nothing  further,  Mr.  Chairman. 

The  Chairman.  Senator  Mikulski. 

Senator  MlKULSKI.  No  questions,  Mr.  Chairman. 

The  Chairman.  I  will  submit  my  additional  public  health  ques- 
tions to  you.  Dr.  Elders. 

We  have  had  requests  for  other  questions  and  answers,  and  we 
will  ask  all  of  our  colleagues  to  submit  their  questions — oh,  there 
is  one  other  matter  that  I  do  want  to  get  on  the  record. 

I  have  here  the  financial  interest  statement  filed  in  1989.  This 
was  the  first  year,  as  director  of  the  Department  of  Public  Health, 
that  you  were  under  an  obligation  to  file  it. 

Dr.  Elders.  That's  right 

The  Chairman.  That  was  1989. 

Dr.  Elders.  Yes,  sir. 

The  Chairman.  The  1990  statement  cannot  be  located.  You  filed 
one  in  1991,  and  you  filed  one  in  1992.  Is  that  correct? 

Dr.  Elders.  That  is  correct. 

Senator  Coats.  For  a  minute  there,  Mr.  Chairman,  I  thought  you 
had  the  missing  1989  statement.  [Laughter.] 

The  Chairman.  That  would  have  been  the  end  of  the  week  that 
was. 

As  my  final  statement,  I  just  want  to  thank  you  so  much  for 
what  I  think  has  been  an  extraordinary  exposition  on  public 
health,  and  I  want  to  say  that  I  have  the  "highest  regard  for  your 
integrity  and  for  your  commitment  and  have  been  enormously 
moved  by  your  life's  experience.  It  will  be  good  to  have  someone  in 
the  office  of  Surgeon  General  who  has  the  breadth  of  experience 
and  the  deep,  deep  commitment  that  you  have. 

Dr.  Elders.  Thank  you,  Senator. 

The  Chairman.  We  will  keep  the  record  open  for  questions 
through  Monday  at  6,  when  all  the  questions  should  be  in. 

Senator  Kassebaum.  Mr.  Chairman,  I  would  just  say  that  be- 
cause Senator  Gregg  is  in  his  home  State  over  the  weekend,  he 
said  he  would  have  them  ready  for  submission  early  next  week.  I 
think 

The  Chairman.  How  about  Monday  at  6? 

Senator  Kassebaum.  I  think  we'd  Detter  allow  a  couple  days. 

The  Chairman.  Well,  this  has  been  ongoing,  and  we  want  to  try 
to  accommodate  everyone.  Let's  have  the  questions  in  by  Tuesday 
noon.  I  think  there  is  no  reason — the  Senate  is  in  session  all  day 
Monday,  so  let's  have  the  questions  in  by  Tuesday  noon,  and  the 
record  will  remain  open  until  we  have  the  responses  to  those  ques- 
tions. 

We  will  consult  with  the  members  of  the  committee,  but  we  are 
going  to  schedule  a  time  for  the  consideration  of  the  nomination  for 
Friday,  a  week  from  today.  We  will  be  in  session  then. 

We  want  to  thank  you  very,  very  much. 

Dr.  Elders.  Thank  you,  Senator. 


85 
Appendix 

STATEMENT  FOR  COMPLETION  BY  PRESIDENTIAL  NOMINEES 

PART  I:  ALL  THE  INFORMATION  IN  THIS  PART  WILL  BE  MADE  PUBLIC 
Eiders  Minnie  Joycelyn 


man                                                            tfi«n> 

Position  to  which                                                                                   Oate  of 
nominate-              Syr?*00  General                                                       nomii 

nation: 

IS 

Elders,  Jr. 

ram 

tx> 

n*t#  of  birth:       August   13-    l933        Place  of  birth;    Schaal,   Arkans* 

*****  status:    M»rried                          Full  nam*  of  spouse:    011ver  B" 

Name  and  ages 

of  children:      ^ic  D.   Elders.   30 

Kevin  M.   Elders.   28 

Dates 
Education:                                Institution                                attended 

Degrees 

received 

Dates  of 
degrees 

Philander  Saith  College          1949-1952 

B.A. 

May  1952 

Brooke  Ararjr  Medical  Center  1953-1956 

R.P.T. 

1956 

OofA  Medical  School                  1956-1960 

M.D. 

1960 

DofMinn.                                          1960-1961 

Ped. Intel 
Ped.Resd. 
M.S. 

1961 

OofA  Medical  Cencer                   1961-1964 

1964 

OofA  Medical  Cencer                   1965-1967 

1967 

(Bloc hen 

Honors  and  awards  List  below  ail  scholarships,  fellowships,  honorary  degrees,  military  medals,  honorary  society 
memberships,  and  any  other  special  recognitions  for  outstanding  service  or  achievernent. 

See  ACCachmenC   A. 


Memberships:  List  below  all  memberships  and  offices  held  in  professional,  fraternal,  business,  scholarly, 

civic,  charitable  and  other  organizations  (or  the  last  five  years  and  any  other  prior  mem- 
berships  or  offices  you  consider  relevant 

See  Attachment   B.  o«(c<  held 

Organization  <if  Jny)  Ota 


Emptoyment  record:  List  below  ail  positions  held  since  college,  mduding  the  tine  or  desCTr^ion  rjf  j^.  name  of 
employer,  location  of  work,  and  dates  of  inclusive  employment. 
O.S.  Ararjr.   1st  Lieutenant.  Brooke  Arary  Medical  Center-l953-1956(M.S.(Bio< 
Intern  in  Pediatrics.   PnlvernltT  nf  mrm.-i.nf..  n<vt?ir<t1     Mirm,.i.r>nH«:-|<>60- 
Reaidest  in  Pediatrics  1961 

0.  of  AX  Medical  Center.  Little  Bock_i96i_i963 

Chief  Resident  in  Pediatrics.  0.   of  AS  Medical  Center.   Little  Rock-1963- 

: , 1964 

Research  Fellow  in  Pediatrics.  0.  of  AR  Medical  Center,  Little  Rock-1964- 

^_ 1967 

Assistant  Professor  in  Pediatrics,  0.  of  AR  Medical  Center.  Little  Rock 

1967-1971 

Associate  Professor  in  Pediatrics.  0.  of  AR  Medical  Center.   Little  Rock 

1971-1976 

Professor   in  Pediatrics.    U.   of  AR  Medical  Center.   Little  Rock-1976- 

. , Pr*«:fnr 

Director,  Arkansas  Department  of  Health.  Little  Rock.  AR-1987-Presenc 


86 


Government 
experience: 


List  any  advisory,  consultative,  honorary  or  other  part-time  service  or  positions  with  Federal. 
State,  or  local  governments  other  than  those  listed  above. 


National  Advisory-  Commission  on  »»r»l  Hf-atrh  1QQ1  -  >r.»nf 

Secretary's  Advisory  Committee  for  Infant  Mortality  1991  -  Present 
Office  of  T-rhnr.1r.yv  *««gM.nr-H>»l rh  Tn«i.  Ad.  Cam.    1991  -  Present 
Human  Embryology  &  Development  Study  Section-DHEU  HIH  1976-1980 

Murlonal     »H»<corv    FnnH    f.    Dm;    r~~.< Irr^-nHTO    TOA     1977-1980 

Maternal  &  Child  Health  Research  Committee-DHEW  HIH  1981-1985 

»rV»nt.t  Srl>-nrr-  &  Tx-hnnlngv  rv»— -laglnn  < Srrrr rarv^  1 97'i-1976 

Governor's  Commission  on  the  Status  of  Woaen  1972 

ArlrangKC    fc^wnV    T)>-v»1  np«>nr    fnm1««1nr     197S-1980 

North  Little  Rock  Civil  Service  Coamlssion  1973-1975 


Published 
wntingsi 


List  the  titles,  publishers  and  dates  of  books,  articles,  reports  or  other  published  materials 
you  have  written 

See  Attachment  C. 


Pgttical 

WGSmbOM 

and  activities:        List  all  memberships  and  offices  held  in  or  financial  contributions  and  services  rendered  to 
all  political  parties  or  election  committees  during  the  last  five  years. 

Irma  Hunter  Brown  Campaign  for  State  Representative 

$100  contribution.  August  1990 


Irma  Hunter  Brown  Campaign  for  State  Representative 
1100  contribution,  August  1992 


Jay  Bradford  Campaign  for  State  Senate 


Future  employment 
reurt  kinships: 


J 100  contribution.  April  1990 

Clincon  for  President 

$1000  contribution.  August  '92 
Speaker  at  Democratic  National  Committee  meeting 

NY. NY  August  '92 


.  Indicate  whether  you  will  sever  all  connections  with  your  present  employer,  business 
firm,  association  or  organization  if  you  are  confirmed  by  the  Senate. 

Ho.   I  will  be  on  leave  of  absence  without  pay  from  the  University 
ot  Arkansas  School  of  Medicine  tor  two  years,  to  be  extended  each 


year  at  Che  wishes  of  the  Board  of  Trustees. 

2.  State  whether  you  have  any  ptarts  after  completing  government  service  to  resume  em- 
ployment, affiliation  or  practice  with  your  previous  employer,  business  firm,  associa- 
tion or  organization. 

Yes. 


3.  Has  a  commitment  been  made  to  you  for  employment  after  you  leave  Federal  service? 
Yes,    as   explained    above. 


4.  Do  you  intend  to  serve  the  full  term  for  which  you  have  been  appointed  or  until  the  next 
Presidential  election,  whichever  is  applicable? 

Yes. 


87 


Potential  conflicts 

of  interest  1.  Describe  any  financial  arrangements,  deferred  compensation  agreements  or  other  con- 

tinuing: financial,  business  or  professional  dealings  wilt)  business  associates,  clients 
or  customers  who  will  be  affected  by  policies  which  you  witt  influence  in  the  position 
to  which  you  have  been  nominated. 

T  irill    by   on   a    leave   of   absence  trlthont   pay   froa   the   University 

nf    AT-fc«n<:a<:    Srhool    of   Medicine. 


2.  List  any  investments,  obligations,  liabilities,  or  other  financial  relationships  which  con- 
stitute potential  conflcts  of  interest  with  the  position  to  which  you  have  been 
nominated. 

Rone. 


Describe  any  business  relationship,  dealing  or  financial  transaction  wtiich  you  have  hacj 
during  the  last  five  years  whether  (or  yourself,  on  behalf  of  a  client,  or  acting  as  an 
agent  that  constitutes  a  potential  conflict  of  interest  with  the  position  to  which  yo-j 
have  been  nominated. 

None. 


4  List  any  lobbying  activity  during  the  past  10  years  in  which  you  have  engaged  for  the 
purpose  of  directly  or  indirectly  influencing  the  passage,  defeat  or  modification  of  any 
Federal  legislation  or  of  affecting  the  administration  and  execution  of  Federal  law  or 
policy. 


See   llat   on  Page   Sa. 


Explain  how  you  wil  resolve  any  potential  conflict  of  interest  that  may  be  disclosed  by 
your  responses  to  the  above  items. 

H/A  


Junes  1988 

March  1989 
April  1989 

August  1990 
June  1991 


July  1992 


November  1992 


88 

Testimony  on  Federal  Issues 

U.S.  Senate  Committee  on  Health  Problems  of 
the  Lower  Mississippi  Delta  Region 

Delta  Commission-  chaired  by  Governor  Clinton 

Committee  on  Labor  and  Human  Resources 
re:  Rules  and  regulations  on  abortion 
clinics 

Special  Commission  on  Aging   (Hash.  D-C. ) 

Aging  Subcommittee  (Pine  Bluff,  AR) 
re:   Rural  Health  and  Elderly 

Senate  Appropriation  Committee,  Subcommittee 
on  Labor,  Health  and  Human  Services 
re:   Immunizations 

National  Governor's  Committee  on  Health  Care 

Access 

re:  Access  for  Children  and  Adolescents 

U.S.  Senate  Committee  on  Labor  and  Human 
Resources  (written  testimony  submitted) 
re:   School  Based  Health  Clinics 

National  Commission  on  AIDS  (in  capacity  as 
ASTHO  President) 

Joint  Economic  Commission,  Subcommittee  on 

Education  and  Health 

re:   Social  Cost  of  Teenage  Pregnancy 


-5a- 


ATTACHMENT  A 


HONORARY  DEGREES 

Philander  Smith  College  -  Little  Rock,  AR 

Doctor  of  Science 

1989 
Connecticut  College 

Doctor  of  Science 

1990 
Hendrix  College  -  Conway,  AR 

Doctor  of  Laws 

1990 
Yale  University  -  Connecticut 

Doctor  of  Science 

1992 
Lemonye  Christian  College  -  Memphis,  TN 

Doctor  of  Science 

1993 
Moorehouse  College  of  Medicine 

Doctor  of  Science 

1993 
University  of  Minnesota 

Doctor  of  Science 

1993 


89 


HONORS  AND  AWARDS 

Alvin  C.  Ehrich  Award  (Academy  of  Educational 

Development:)   1993 

(donated  to  Philander  Smith  College  scholarship 
fund) 
National  Coalition  of  100  Black  Women's  Candace  Award 

for  Health  Science  1991 
Chicago's  De  Lee  Humanitarian  Award   1991 
American  Medical  Association  Nathan  Davis  Award   1990 
Southern  Health  Association  Charles  Jordan  Award   1990 
National  Education  Association  Mary  Futrell  Award 

for  Creative  Leadership  in  Women's  Rights   1990 
AMA  National  Congress  on  Adolescent  Health  Award 

for  Outstanding  Efforts  on  Behalf  of  America's 

Youth    1990 
National  Governor's  Association  Distinguished 

Service  Award   1989 
Arkansas  Democrat's  Woman  of  the  Year   1988 
Worthen  Bank's  Arkansas  Professional  Women  of 

Distinction  Award   1987 
"Horizons"  100  Outstanding  Women  of  Arkansas   1980 
Distinguished  Women  in  Arkansas   1975 
Personalities  of  the  South   1972-197  5 
Alpha  Omega  Alpha   1972 
USPHS  Career  Development  Award   1967-1972 

USPHS  Postdoctoral  Research  Fellow   1964 

B.S.  Magna  Cum  Laude  -  Philander  Smith  College-1952 

Alpha  Kappa  Mu  National  Honor  Society   1951 
Alumni  Academic  Scholarship  -  Philander  Smith  College 
1949-1952  ^ 


ATTACHMENT  B 
MEMBERSHIPS 

Association  of  State  &  Territorial  Health  Officers 
(ASTHO)  1987  -  present,  President  1992-present 

Academy  of  Pediatrics  -  Council  on  Government  Affairs 
1991  -  1992  (Advisory  status  at  present) 

Southern  Regional  Education  Board  (SREB) 
1991-present 

Alan  Guttmacher  Institute  Board 

1991  -  present 

Robert  Wood  Johnson  Generalist  Physician  Initiative 
Advisory  Commission 

1992  -  present 

Journal  of  Pediatrics  (Editorial  Board) 

.  1991  -  present 
Sigma  Xi  President  1978-1979 
Delta  Sigma  Theta  Sorority 
American  Association  for  the  Advancement  of  Science 

1969-1977 
Southern  Society  for  Pediatric  Research 

President  1979-1980 
Day  Care  &  Child  Development  Council  of  America 

1972 
Lawson  Wilkins  Endocrine  Society 

Membership  Chair   1976 

Director  1985-1989 
National  Pituitary  Agency 

1977  -  1980 
Human  Growth  Foundation 

1974-1978 


90 


American  Board  of  Pediatrics 

Examiner,  Endocrinology 

1987-1989 
Central  Arkansas  Academy  of  Pediatrics 
American  Diabetes  Association 
Academy  of  Pediatrics 
North  Little  Rock  Workman's  Compensation  Committee 

1975-1979 
Elizabeth  Mitchell  Children's  Home  (Board) 

1971-1973 
Youth  Homes,  Inc.  (Board) 

1973-1975 
United  Cerebral  Palsy  Assoc,  of  AR  (Board) 

1971-1973 
Volunteers  in  Public  Schools 

1973 
Northside  YMCA  (Board) 

1973-present 
Central  AR  National  Foundation  Med.  Advis.  Com. 

1975-present 

Arkansas  Women's  Political  Caucus 

1975 
Arkansas  Diabetes  Association 
National  Bank  of  Arkansas  (Board) 

1978-1989 
Little  Rock  Chamber  of  Commerce  (Board) 

1980  -  present 
Little  Rock  Rotary  Club 

1989-present 

Paul  Harris  Fellow  -  1991 
Arkansas  College  Board 

1992-present 


ATTACHMENT  C 

PUBLICATIONS 
1       ^M^&VsTwi'  WaSUng  diSCaSC  »«*«*««  «**  *  P^aocy. 

2  SSBfc&SEBg-' WT-: BioIog,cal role rf {etai *>-* hOTmone- J 

3'     Pref %^'57'J^' UJ"  *nd  McNatt'  L-M"  Mitochondrial  manganese.  Fed. 


5. 


2if?J?'?-,!?dJriu^ts' EJL:  R«pture  of  the  stomach.  Clinical  and 
experimental  study.  J.  Lancet  86:104, 1966 

S^iiJ1'  **?*  &*£¥**  m  mucopolysaccharide  biosynthesis  in  chick 
mtZ       £  **??*?  ""fo^  *°r  Master  ofScience  Degree,  Department  of 
Biochemistry  University  of  Arkansas.  1967  ^ 

6.     Elders.  M.J.,  Smith.  J.D..  Hughes.  EH,  Smith.  W.G.,  Inhibition  of 

7      wr~P°T??kCCT?nde  ^^F*  **  a  latWen.  Fed.  roc  26:857, 1967. 
•      X*7ey>  J-D-.  Dungan,  W.T.,  and  Elders.  MJ.:  Developmental  interaction  between 

R       §E  |ymP><«Scui"  "J  cardiovascular  systems.  So.  6ed.  J    50' W59  So7 

Elders.  M.J..  Parfaam,  BJL.  and  Hughes^EJL:  Prevention  of  wasW  disease  bv 
pregnancy  associated  with  hypertrophy  of  the  fetal  thymus    J.  Expef.  bSKSms. 

10-     JS^3g  g&f  &**  ^  Mangan^metabolism  in  the 
IL     2!&l5:Si^37"SS-S-Wil*Md:  ^—rticoids  and  muscle 

12'     SSSif  ^W>?-  Dimgan'  UJ-  EldeiT'  and  ER  =■**«  Third  and  fourth 
Si^le  Cirped^^?^^^  V3SCUJar  "^*  aDd  ^TPOcaicemic 


9. 


91 

Elders.  MJ.,  T.Garland,  W.H.  Daughaday,  D.A.  Fisher  and  E.R  Hughes: 

Regulation  of  growth  and  plasma  growth  hormone  in  Laron's  dwarf,  red.  Res. 

5:398,  1971. 

Elders,  ML  J.,  H.L.  Green  and  J.G.  Jones:  Hyperuricemia.  Case  presentation.  J. 

Ark.  Med.  Soc  Dec.  1971. 

Elders.  M.  J.,  J.T.  Garland,  W.H.  Daughaday.  D-A.  Fisher,  J.E.  Whitney  and  E.R 

Hughes:  Laron's  dwarfism:  studies  on  the  nature  of  the  defect  J.  Ped.  83:253, 1973. 

Clark.  J.S.,  B.S.  Wingfield,  MX.  McNatt,  M.J.  Elders  and  E.R  Hughes:  Studies  on 

the  mechanism  of  growth  retardation  by  glucocorticoids.  Clin  Res.  21:109, 1973. 

Elders.  M.J.,  B.S.  Wingfield,  MX.  McNatt  and  E JEL  Hughes:  Somatomedin  activity 

in  plasma  of  children  receiving  prednisone.  Ped.  Res.  8:324, 1973. 

E.R  Hughes.  MX  McNatt,  B.S.  Wingfield  and  M.J.  Elders:  Studies  on  the 

pathogenesis  of  encephalomyelitis:  A  role  for  an  obligatory  micro  nutrient?  Ped. 

Res.  7:192. 1973. 

Elders,  M J.,  J.T.  Smith,  W.G.  Smith  and  EJL  Hughes:  B-anrino-proprionitrile  and 

mucopolysaccharide  biosynthesis  in  the  chicken  Biochem.  J.  136:985.  1973. 

Elders.  M.J..  FX.  Wright.  MX.  McNatt.  B.S.  Wingfield  and  E.R  Hughes:  Brain 

manganese  in  the  developing  chick.  Am.  J.  Physiol.  227:31.  1974. 

Elders.  M.J..  and  E.R  Hughes:  Heritable  disorders  of  amy'.oid:  In  Kelly  <ed): 

Metabolic.  Endocrine  and  ^enr<ic  Digyrdcr*  »f  Ovid'?'?   Hnrper  ?nd  Rowe. 

Hagerstown.  M.D..  1974.  vol.  i.  <JIu«p<.  2. 

Elders.  M.J.  and  E.R  Hughes:  Pyspr»teinemins  and  amyloidoses:  disorders  of 

amvioid:  in  Tice  (ed).  Practice  of  Medicine.  Harper  and  Rowe,  Hagerstown.  MD. 

1974.  voL  3.  ChapL2. 

Burnett.  C.R  .  B.  Wingfield.  J.  Kinney.  E.R.  Hughes  and  M.«L  Elders:  Alterations  in 

somatomedin  activity  and  tissue  lipids  bv  amphetamines.  Cfin.  Res.  22:90A.  J 974 

Clarke.  S..  G.H.  Hsynes.  D.H.  Berry.  MX.  McNatt.  E.R.  Hu^ies  and  M.J.  Elders: 

Mechanisms  of  growth  retardation  in  childreu  maintaiued  on  long  term  caucer 

chemotherapy.   Clin.  Res.  2:90A.  1974. 

McNatt.  MX..  D.S.  Wingfield,  E.R.  Hughes  and  M.J.  Elders:  Glucocorticoid 

inhibition  in  GAGS  biosynthesis:  possible  site  of  action.  Ped.  Res.  8:391,  1974. 

Hicks,  D.C..  J  -A.  Lee,  J.  Kenney,  E.R  Hughes  and  M.J.  Elders:  Accelerated  growth 

of  the  heart  induced  by  glucocorticoid  during  embryonic  development.   Cliu.  Res. 

23:53A.  1975. 

Lee.  J-A.  D.C.  Hicks,  C.R  Burnett,  EJL  Hughes,  and  M.J.  Elders:  Stereospecific 

glucocorticoid  receptors  in  embryonic  chick  cartilage.  Clin.  Res.  23:72A,  1975. 

Lee,  J-A.  and  M.  J.  Elders:  Characterization  of  cytoplasmic  glucocorticoid  receptors 

in  chick  cartilage.  Fed.  Proc  34:352, 1975 

Hicks.  D.C.  J.A.  Lee.  R  Clarke,  EJL  Hughes  and  MJ.  Elders:  Enlargement  of  the 

heart  induced  by  glucocorticoids  during  em  embryogenesis.  Ped.  Res.  9:277,  1975. 

Frarier,  EA,  I.E.  Glover  and  MJ.  Elders:  Adrenal  insufficiency  and  diabetes 

melHtus  associated  with  the  syndrome  of  inappropriate  antidiuretic  hormone 

(SIADH)  secretion.  Clin.  Res.  3:60A,  1975. 

Fiser.  RJL.  P.A.  Meredith  and  MJ.  Elders:  The  child  who  fails  to  grow.  Am. 

Family  Physician.  11:109,  June.  1975. 

Elders.  WLJ.,  B.S.  Wingfield.  MX.  McNatt.  J.S.  Clarke  and  EJL  Hughes: 

Glucocorticoid  therapy  in  children:  effect  on  somatomedin  secretion.  Am.  J.  Dis. 

Child.  129:1393.1975. 

Streeten.  D.HP.,  F.H.  Faas.  M.J.  Elders,  and  M  Voorhess:  Hypercortisolism  in 

childhood:  report  of  two  patients  with  stunted  growth  diagnosed  by  newer  criteria. 

Pediatr.  56:797,  1975. 

Elders.  M.J..  B.S.  Wingfield.  MX  McNatt.  J-A.  Lee,  and  E.R  Hughes: 

Somatomedin  and  the  regulation  of  skeletal  growth.  Ann  Clin.  Lab.  So.  5:440, 

1975. 

Chaney,  C,  and  M.J.  Elders:  Management  of  juvenile  diabetes  mellitus:  J.  Ark. 

Med.  Soc.  72:261-276, 1975 

Thompson,  D..  and  M.J.  Elders:  Education  of  the  juvenile  diabetic.  J.  Ark.  Med. 

Soc.  72:239-248, 1975. 

Parish,  S-,  and  MJ.  Elders:  Dietary  management  of  the  child  with  juvenile 

diabetes.  J.  Ark.  Med.  Soc.  72:192-202,  1975. 

Elders,  M.J.,  and  F.  Char:  Possible  etiology  mechanisms  of  the  Noonan  syndrome. 

Birth  Defects.  Original  Article  Series  12:127-133.  1976. 

Skaug,  W_A_,  and  MJ.  Elders:  Home  management  of  juvenile  onset  diabetes 

mellitus.  J.  Ark.  Med.  Soc.  72:360,  1976. 

Lee.  J-A.,  L.S.  Dickinson,  B.S.  Kilgore.  J  E.  Whitney  and  M.J.  Elders:  Somatomedin 

activity  in  cystic  fibrosis  and  reserpinized  rats:  possible  explanation  for  growth 

retardation.  Fed.  Proc.  35:262.  1976. 


92 

41.  B€rry.  D.H.,  J.A.  Lee,  B.S.  Kilgore  and  M.J.  Elders:  Growth  hormone  and 
somatomedin  in  children  with  acute  lymphoblastic  leukemia    Am.  Soc.  of  Clin. 
Oncology,  1976 

42.  Shideler,  C.E.,  MA  Brewster.  S.I.  Roth.  J.A  Lee  and  M.J.  Elders:  Studies  of  bone 
and  cartilage  growth:  histochemistry,  lipid  metabolism  correlated  with  age  in  the 
developing  chick  embryo.  Ann.  Clin.  LaV  So    G-363.  197<3. 

43.  McNatt.  M.L..  F.M.  Fiser.  M.J.  E'd-rs.  E.S  Kilcre.  WO.  Smith  and  E.R.  Hughes: 
Uridine  diphosphate  rvlosvl  transfer  a  *~  ;»ct«f««i*s  in  C3r*il?ge  horn  manganese 
deficient  chicks.   Biochem.  J.  160:211-216.  197$. 

<M.     Kilgore,  B.,  J.A.  Lee,  E.R.  Hughes  and  M.J.  Elders:  Stimulation  of  xylose 

incorporation  into  an  acceptor  protein  by  a  partially  purified  serum  factor.   Clin. 
Res.  25:6. 

45.  Reeves.  R.D_.  J.S.  -Lee,  L.  Dickinson.  B.  Kilgore.  B.  Branham  and  M.J.  Elders: 
Influence  of  dietary  protein  and  fat  on  somatomedin  activity  in  growing  rats.  Clin. 
Res.  25:63A,  1977. 

46.  Skaug.  W.,  J.  Figueroa.  R  Choate.  R.  Fiser.  JA.  Lee.  M.D.  Morris  and  M.J.  Elders: 
Glycogen  storage  disease  type  IB  -  possible  membrane  transport  defect.   Clin.  Res 
25:70A,  1977. 

47.  Bakdoud,  Z.,  E.  Fraser,  L.  Glover.  W.G.  Lawson.  R.H.  Fiser  and  M-J.  Elders:  The 
association  of  diabetes  mellitos  and  adrenal  insufficiency  in  children.  So.  Med. 
70:713-715.  1977. 

48.  Zonana.  J..  J.F.  Sotos.  CA_  Romshe,  DA.  Fisher,  M.J.  Elders,  and  D.L.  Rimoin: 
Dominant  inheritance  of  cerebral  gigantism.  J.  Peds.  91:251-256, 1977. 

49.  Elders.  M.J.,  M.L.  McNatt.  B.S.  Kilgore  and  E.R.  Hughes:  Glucocorticoid  inhibition 
of  glycosaminoglycan  biosynthesis:  decrease  of  protein  acceptor.  Biochem.  Biophys. 
Res.  Comm.  77:557-565. 1977. 

50.  Lee,  J  A..  DC.  Hicks,  E.R.  Hughes,  D.  Smith  and  M  J.  Elders:  cytoplasmic 
glucocorticoid  receptors  in  embryonic  chick  cartilage:  nature,  specificity  and 
ontogeny.  J.  Steroid  Biochem.  9:23-23, 1978. 

51.  Dickinson.  W.P.,  D.H.  Berry,  L.  Dickinson.  H.  Schedewie.  R-H.  Fiser  and  M.J. 
Elders:  Differential  effects  of  cranial  radiation  on  growth  hormone  response  to 
argining  and  insulin  infusion.  J.  Pediatr.  92:754,  1978. 

52.  Henry.  D.,  and  M.J.  Elders:  Growth  retardation  syndromes  associated  with 
hypophosphatemia:  case  reports.  Ark  Med.  Soc  J.  May  1978. 

53.  Fiser,  R.H..  and  M.J.  Elders:  Management  of  children  with  diabetic  ketoacidosis 
with  continuous  intravenous  low-dose  insulin  therapy.  Ark.  Med.  Soc  J.  June, 
1978. 

54.  Kobayashi,  M.,  J.M.  Olefsky.  M  J.  Elders,  et  al:  T^<nHn  resistance  due  to  a  defect 
distal  to  the  insulin  receptor  (Demonstration  in  a  patient  with  leprechauuism). 
Proc  Nat.  Acad.  Sci.  USA  75(7)^469-3473.  1978. 

55.  Jacobs.  RF.,  R.M.  Nestrud,  AG.  Beard,  R.H.  Fiser.  D.D.  Fawcett,  D.E.  Hill.  M.D. 
Morris  and  M.J.  Elders:  An  inherited  syndrome  of  hyperglycemia, 
hyperinsulinemia  and  failure  to  thrive  -  possible  insulin  defect.  Clin.  Res.  26l2LA, 
1978. 

56.  Kilgore.  B.S..  MJL  McNatt,  S.  Meador.  J_A  Lee,  EJL  Hughes  and  M.J.  Elders: 
Alteration  of  glycosaminoglycan  protein  acceptor  by  somatomedin  and  inhibition  by 
Cortisol.  Pediatr.  Res.  13:96-99. 1979. 

57.  Marks,  S.R.,  and  M.J.  Elders:  The  child  with  precocious  puberty.  J.  Natl.  Med. 
Assoc.  71(2):153-159, 1979. 

58.  Kilgore.  B.,  LJX  Dickinson,  CJEL  Burnett.  JA.  Lee,  H.K  Schedewie  and  M.J. 
Elders:  Alterations  in  cartilage  metabolism  by  neurostimulant  drugs.  J.  Pediatr. 
94(4):542-545,  1979. 

59.  Dickinson.  L.C..  J-A  Lee.  LC.  Ringdahl.  H.K  Schedewie.  B.  Kilgore  and  M.J. 
Elders:  Impaired  growth  in  hyperkinetic  children  on  pemoline  treatment.  J. 
Pediatr.  94<4):533-541,  1979. 

60.  Stansell.  P.E.,  M.J.  Elders,  KM.  Fiser.  J.H.  Bomhofen.  V.  MacLeod  and  H. 
Schedewie:  Hyperglycemia  secondary  to  diphenylhydantoin  intoxication.  J.  Ark. 
Med.  Soc.  76(5):209-210,  1979. 

61.  Reeves.  R.D..  L.  Dickinson.  J  A..  B.  Kilgore.  B.  Branham  and  M.J.  Elders:  Effects  of 
dietarv  composition  on  somatomedin  activity  in  growing  rats.  J.  Nutr.  109:613-621. 
1979. 

62.  Elders.  M.J  :   Managing  the  child  «.li«.  i<=  n  <b»««i»|  n<1«iH    S^mal  Medicine  Today 
Vyl.  3:?.  P  ?.  1979. 

63.  Shedewie.  H.K.  M.J.  Elders.  -J.R.  Kelson.  L.J  Deftos.  R.M.  Wilkins,  C.  Frith  and 
V.  McLeod:  Effect  of  growth  hormone  on  the  control  of  parathyroid  hormone  and 
calcitonin.  Clin.  Res.  26(6):819A,  1979 

64.  Herzberg,  V.,  Boughter.  M.,  Seyed.  S..  Hill.  D.,  Brown.  R_,  Schedewie  H..  Elders. 
M.  J.:    Possible  etiologic  mechanisms  for  the  overgrowth  and  hypoglycemia  in 
patients  with  Beckwith-Wiedemann  syndrome    Clin.  Res.  27(5):S12A.  1979 


93 

Wooten.  V..  H.  Schedewie.  S  Seyed.  L.  BurkJialter.  J.R.  Jiminez.  M.J.  Elders: 

Autonomous  interstitial  cell  hyperplasia  causing  familial  precocious  puberty    Clin. 

Res.  27(5)  SOLA,  1979. 

Shultz.  Sam  L.,  S.  Seyed.  C.  Morgan,  L.  Burkhalter,  H.  Schedewie,  R.  Fiser,  M.J. 

Elders:  Evaluation  of  the  Arkansas  Neonatal  Hypothyroid  Screening  Program.  J. 

Ark.  Med.  Soc  76<7):263-268,  1979. 

Schedewie.  H.,  W.  Slikker.  D.  Hill,  R-  Tsang,  J.  Bailey.  M.J.  Elders:  Placental 

crossover  and  fetal  tissue  distribution  of  l,25(OH)  2  vitamin  D  in  Rhesus  monkey. 

Pediatr.  Res.  14(4):930,  1980. 

Herzberg.  V.,  J.M.  Boughter,  SJL  Carlisle.  M.J.  Elders,  HK  Schedewie.  and  D.E. 

Hill*  Relationship  of  erythrocyte  insulin  binding  to  abnormal  growth.  Pediatr. 

Res.  14(4):886,  1980.  m 

69.  Bier.  D.M..  H.  Schedewie.  J.  Lamer.  J.  Olefsky.  A.  Rubenstein.  and  M.J.  Elders: 
Accelerated  fasting  in  leprechaunism.  Pediatr.  Res.  14(4):852, 1980. 

70.  Schedewie.  H_K.  E.O.  Reiter,  G.W.  DeVane,  J.F.  Jiminez,  IZ.  Beitins,  E.J.  Aiman, 
M.J.  Elders:  Primary  Leydig  cell  hyperplasia  as  a  possible  etiology  of  familial 
sexual  precocity.  Pediatr.  Res.  14(4):352, 1980. 

71.  Lee,  JAu.  Dickinson,  L.S.  Kilgore.  B.S..  Warren,  R.H,  and  Elders,  M.J.: 
Somatomedin  activity  in  cystic  fibrosis  and  reserpinized  rats:  Possible  explanation 
for  growth  retardation.  Ann.  Clin.  Lab.  ScL  10(3)--227-233. 1980. 

72.  Bier.  Dennis  M.,  Elders,  M.J.:  Glucose  kinetics  in  leprechaunism:  Accelerated 
fasting  due  to  insulin  resistance.  J.  Clin.  EndocrinoL  Metab.  51:988-993,  1980. 

73.  Herzberg,  V.,  Boughter.  M.  Harris.  L.  Hill.  D £.,  Schedewie.  H.K.,  Elders,  M.J.: 
Erythrocyte  in«aTlin  receptor  binding  in  growth  hormone  deficiency.  Clin.  Res. 
28<5):S55A,  December  1980. 

74.  Schedewie.  H.K.  Brewster.  M..  Moriarty.  M.  Glover.  L-.  Elders.  M.J.: 
Trimethylaminuria:  Rare  or  unrecognized  cause  of  body  odor?  Clin.  Res. 
29<5>:859A,  December.  1980. 

75.  Skaug,  W..  Figueroa,  J..  Choate.  R.,  Fiser.  R..  Lee.  J.A-.  Morris.  M.D..  and  Elders, 
M.J.:  Glycogen  storage  disease  type  D3  -  possible  membrane  transport  defect 
Southern  Medical  Journal,  Vol.  74(6):761-764,  1981. 

76.  Schedewie.  ELK.  Reiter.  E.O..  Beitins.  LZ.,  Seyed,  S.,  Wooten,  V.D..  Jiminez.  J.F., 
Aiman.  E. J.,  DeVane,  G.W.,  Redman.  J.F..  Elders,  M.J.:  Testicular  Leydig  cell 
hyperplasia  as  a  cause  of  familial  sexual  precocity.  J.  Clin.  Endocrinol.  Metab. 
52:271-278.  1981. 

Roth.  S.I..  Schedewie,  H.K.  Herzberg,  V.K.  Elders.  M.J..  Olefsky.  J..  Rubenstein. 
A.:  Cutaneous  manifestations  of  leprechaunism    Archives  of  Dermatology, 
117:531-535.1981. 

Schedewie,  Heinrich.  Astrid  Seifen,  Joycelyn  Elders,  Louis  Pryor,  Thomas  Hart, 
Doyne  Williams:  Endocrine  functions  during  cardiac  surgery  in  hypothermia.  Ped. 
Res.  15<4):514.  #446. 1981. 

Stonesifer,  Larry  D.,  M.  Joycelyn  Elders,  Victoria  L  Herzberg,  Mark  Boughter, 
Thomas  J.  Sasasak.  and  Donald  E.  Hill:  Insulin  binding  studies  in  the  erythrocytes 
of  diabetics  in  one  kinship.  Pediatr.  Res.  15<4):515,  #451. 1981. 
Elders.  M.  Joycelyn,  Victoria  L  Herzberg,  Donald  E.  Hill,  J.  Mark  Boughter.  Linda 
Harris.  Heinrich  K  Schedewie:  Growth  hormone  effects  on  erythrocyte  insulin 
binding.  Pediatr.  Res.  15<4):507.  #402,  1931. 

Seyedabadi.  S..  D.S.  Bard.  RE.  Zuna.  H.  Schedewie.  Carlos  Araoz  and  M.J.  Elders: 
Epidermoid  carcinoma  of  the  vagina  in  a  patient  with  cerebral  gigantism.  J.  Ark. 
Med.  Soc.  73<3>:123-127. 1991. 

Taylor.  S.I..  Roth.  J..  Blizzard.  R.M..  or"!  EW-rs.  M.J.:  Qualitative  abnormalities 
in  insulin  binding  in  a  patient  with  extreme  insulin  resistance:  Decreased 
sensitivity  to  alterations  in  temperature  and  pH.  Proc.  NatL  Acad.  Sci.  USA  Vol. 
73U1):7175-7176. 1981. 

83.     Peng.  Chun  Fu.  Elders.  M.  Joycelyn.  Hughes.  E.R.  Hicks,  DC.  Straub.  KID.. 

Murphy.  M.L.:  Glucocorticoid  effects  on  the  embryonic  chick  heart:  II.  Alteration 
of  oxidative  metabolism.  Annals  of  Clin.  Lab.  Sci.  12<6):484-491. 1932. 

34.  Hicks.  D.C..  Lee.  J.A..  Kilgore.  B.S..  Burnett.  C.R,  Schedewie.  H.K.  Hughes,  E.R.. 
and  Elders.  M.J.:  Glucocorticoid  effects  on  the  embryonic  duck  heart:  I. 
glucocorticoid  enlargement  of  the  heart.  Annals  of  Clin.  Lab.  Sci.  12(6):479-433, 
1932. 

35.  Elders.  M.  Joycelyn,  H.K  Schedewie,  J.  Olefsky.  B.  Givens.  F.  Char.  DM.  Bier,  D. 
Baldwin,  RH.  Fiser,  S.  Seyedabadi,  and  A  Rubenstein:  Endocrine  metabolic 
relationships  in  patients  with  leprechaunism.  JNMA  74(12):1195-1210.  1982. 

36.  Elders,  M.J.,  Bolze,  M.S.,  Abdullah,  S..  Schedewie.  H.K,  Reeves,  R.D.  Influence  of 
zinc  and  manganese  on  somatomedin  and  glycosaninoglycan  metabolism.   Clin. 
Res.  30(5):886A.  1982. 

37.  Elders.  M.J.,  D.E.  Hill.  H.K  Schedewie.  V.Herzberg,  M.  Boughter.S.I.  Taylor: 
Characterization  of  the  erythrocyte  insulin  receptor  in  leprechaun  ism.  Clin.  Res. 
30(5):897A,  1982. 


94 

83.     Schedewie,  H.,  Wells.  T..  Stanford,  A.,  Elders.  J..  aDd  Unger,  R.:  Congenital 

hypoglycemia  secondary  to  persistent  fetal  carbohydrate  metabolism.    Clin.  Res. 
30(5)  907  A  1932. 

89.  Roth.  Sanford  L,  Schedewie.  H.K.  Bier,  Dennis  M.,  Conaway,  H.H..  Olefsky. 
Jerrold.  Rubensteiii,  Arthur,  and  Elders,  M.Joycelyn:  Hepatic  untrastructure  in 
leprechaunism.  Virchows  Arch.  (PathoL  Anat.).  397:121-130, 1982. 

90.  Taylor.  Simeon  I.,  Jose  A  Hedo.  Lisa  H.  Underbill,  Masato  Kasuga,  Elders,  M 
Joycelyn.  and  Jesse  Roth:  Extreme  insulin  resistance  in  association  with 
abnormally  high  binding  affinity  of  insulin  receptors  from  a  patient  with 

lepr echau nism •  Evidence  for  a  defect  intrinsic  to  the  receptor.  J.  Clin.  Endocrin. 
Metab.   55(6):1108-1113, 1982. 

91.  Elders,  M.  Joycelyn:  Lipodystrophies.  Internal  Med.  1983.  Jay  H.  Stein,  Ed.  Little 
&  Brown  Publishers  pp  1985-1998. 

92.  Elsas,  J.L.,  Endo.  F..  Strumlauf,  E.,  Elders,  J.,  Priest,  JJL:  Leprechauhism:  An 
inherited  defect  in  a  high  affinity  insnlin  receptor.  Am.  J.  Human  Genetics 
(submitted  1984). 

93.  Fiser,  Robert,  Schedewie.  Heinrich.  Elders,  Joycelyn:  Disorders  of  Mineral 
Metabolism.  Practical  Pediatrics,  1985. 

94.  Craig.  J.W..  Lamer.  J.,  Locher,  E.F.,  Widom.  B.,  Elders,  M.J.:  Mechanisms  of 
insulin  resistance  in  cultured  fibroblasts  from  a  patient  with  leprechaunism:  I. 
unpaired  post-binding  actions  of  insofia  and  multiplication  stimulating  activity. 
Metabolism.  33(12):1984-1095. 1984. 

95.  Berry.  DJEL.  Elders,  M.J.,  Lui,  V.,  Land,  V.,  Crist  W..  Sexauer.  C:  Growth  in 
children  with  acute  lymphocytic  leukemia.  Med.  &  Ped.  Oncology  11(1  ):39  1983 

96.  Craig.  J.W.,  Lamer.  J.,  Locker,  E.F.,  Widom,  B.,  Schedewie,  HJL,  Elders,  M.J.: 
Mechanisms  of  insulin  resistance  in  cultured  fibroblasts  from  a  patient  with 
leprechaunism- 1,  impaired  post-binding  actions  of  insulin  and  multiplication 
stimulating  activity.  Abstract.  Amer.  Diabetes  Assoc.  (Diabetes  31:124A  1982.) 

97.  Herxberg,  v..  Grigorescu.  F.,  Elders.  M.J.,  and  Kahn.  CR.:  Genetic  abnormality  of 
the  insufin  receptor -kinase  in  leprechaunism    Clin.  Res.  29:  presented  AFCR  1982. 

98.  Grigorescu,  F..  Herzberg,  V.,  Flier.  J.S.,  Elders.  M.J.,  Kahn,  C.R.:  Genetic  defects 
in  the  insulin  receptor  kinase  in  syndromes  with  severe  insulin  resistance.  Society 
of  Chemical  Biology.  Paris.  Sept.;  9-21,  1983  (presented). 

99.  Grigoresu.  F,  Herzburg.  V.,  Flier.  J.S.,  Elders,  M.J.,  Kahn,  C.R.:  Genetic  defects  in 
the  insulin  receptor  kinase  in  syndrome  with  severe  insufin  resistance.  Int.  Conf. 
Peptide  Hormone  Receptors.  Regulation  and  Transmission  of  Information.   1984. 

100.  Fiser.  R.H..  Schedewie.  H.K..  Elders.  M.J.:  Disorders  of  carbohvdrate  metabolism 
Practical  Pediatric  Therapy.  1995. 

101.  Elders.  M.J..  Schedewie.  H..  F»r.e«\  F.H.:  n;«:..i«|«r<  «f  .n-v«>„0|  metabolism. 
Practical  Pediatric  Theranv    1S«5. 

102.  Frindik.  J.P..  Kemp.  S.F.,  Elders.  M.J.:  The  effect  of  human  growth  hormone 
administration  on  the  excretion  of  epidermal  growth  factor.   Clin.  Res.  32:8S2A, 
1984. 

103.  Frindik,  J.P.,  Walker,  P.,  Zawada.  M..  Kemp.  S.F..  Elders.  M.J.:  Epidermal  growth 
factor  binding  and  biological  effects  on  gastrointestinal  mucosa  proliferation.  Clin. 
Res.  32:883A  1984. 

104.  Frindik,  J.P.,  Zawada.  M.,  Walker.  P.,  Kemp.  S.F..  Elders.  M.J. :  The  phenotypic 
expression  of  leprechaunism:  the  role  of  epidermal  growth  factor,  a  hormone 
without  a  disease.   Clin.  Res.  32:882A,  1984. 

105.  Kemp.  S-F..  Frindik,  J.P.,  Ma.  F.J..  Elders.  MJ.:  Synergistic  effects  of  epidermal 
powth  factor  and  somatomedin  in  chick  chondrocytes.   Clin.  Res.  32:895A,  1984. 

106.  Kemp,  S.F..  Frindik,  JJP-,  Ma.  F.J..  Elders,  M.J.:  Specificity  of  somatomedinon 
cultured  chick  chondrocytes.  Clm.  Res.  32:850A,  1984. 

107.  Burchett,  S.,  Maeraer.  D.,  Steele.  R_.  Jacobs.  R-.  Elders.  M.J. ,  Kemp.  SJ.: 
Immunologic  profile  of  growth  hormone  deficient  patients  before  and  after  growth 
hormone  replacement  Clin.  Res.  32:895A   1984. 

108.  Bolze.  M.Sue,  Reeves.  Robert  D.,  Lindbeck.  Richard,  Kemp,  S  J.,  Elders,  M.J.: 
Influence  of  manganese  on  growth,  somatomedin  and  glycosaminoglycan 
metabolism.  J.  Nutr.  115:352-358,  1985. 

109.  Kemp.  S.F.,  Frindik,  JJP-.  Ma,  F.  J,  Elders,  M  J.:  Synergistic  effects  of  epidermal 
growth  factor  and  somatomedin  in  chick  chondrocytes.  Pediatr.  Res.  19:157A,  1985. 

110.  Frindik,  J.P.,  Kemp,  S.F.,  Elders.  M.J.:  Effect  of  growth  hormone  on  epidermal 
growth  factor  excretion.  Pediatr.  Res.  19.186A,  1985. 

111.  Frindik,  J.P..  Walker.  P.,  Zawada,  W.,  Kemp,  S.F.,  Elders,  M.J.:  Epidermal  growth 
factor  binding  and  biological  effects  on  gastrointestinal  mucosa  proliferation. 
Pediatr.  Res.  19:219A.  1985. 


95 

Kemp.  S.F.,  Frindik.  J.P-.  Ma.  F.J.,  Elders.  M.J.:  Sites  of  action  of  somatomedin  on 

chick  chondrocytes.  Pediatric  Research  19:3 13A.  1985. 

Frindik,  JJ\,  Zawada,  W.,  Walker,  P.,  Kemp,  ST..  Byrne.  W.J.,  Elders.  MJ.:  Role 

of  epidermal  growth  factor  in  the  phenotypic  expression  of  leprechaunisin. 

Pediatric  Research  19:324A,  1985. 

Burchett,  S..  Manner,  D.,  Steele,  R..  Jacobs.  R.,  Elders,  M.J.,  Kemp.  S.: 

Immunologic  profile  of  growth  hormone  deficient  patients  before  and  after  growth 

hormone  replacement  Pediatric  Research  19.182A,  1985. 

Craig,  James  W.,  Lamer,  Joseph,  Locker,  Ellen  F.,  and  Elders,  M.  Joycelyn: 

Mechanisms  of  insulin  resistance  in  cultured  fibroblasts  from  a  patient  with 

leprechaunism:  resistance  to  protelytic  activation  of  glycogen  synthase  by  tripsin. 

Molecular  and  Cellular  Biochemistry.    66:117-125. 1985. 

Elders,  M  Joycelyn:  Lipodystrophies.  Internal  Medicine.  Jay  EL  Stein,  (ed). 

Little  &  Brown  Publishers,  pp  1885-1839.  1985. 

Elsas,  L. J.,  Endo.F.,  Strumlauf,  E..  Elders.  M.J..  Priest  J.EL:  Leprechaunism:  An 

inherited  defect  in  a  high  affinity  insulin  receptor.  Amer.  J.  Human  Genetics. 

37:73-88. 1985. 

Frindik,  J.  Paul,  Kemp,  Stephen  F.,  Fiser.  Robert  H..  Schedewie.  Heinrich,  Elders. 

M.  Joycelyn:  The  phenotypic  expression  in  Donohue's  syndrome  (Leprechaunism): 

A  role  for  epidermal  growth  factor  (EGF).  J.  Peds.   107:428-430, 1985. 

Griebel.  May  L..  Redman.  John  F.,  Kemp.  Stephen  F..  Elders.  M.  Joycelyn: 

Hypertrophy  of  the  clitoral  hood  as  a  presenting  sign  of  neurofibromatosis  in  a 

female  child,  (submitted  I. 

Fiser  R«»K«>rt  H..  Jr..  Bute*>s»n'.'i.  *"Hfri«J.  .<v-l«»-<|.-vo<-.  H.-ini-irh.  EIde«".«.  M.  Jovcelyn: 

Thyroid  Disease.   Practical  FyJigtrir  TJAgEgRK-  21 1-- ".M«K(v 

Fiser.  Robert  H.  Jr..  Butenandt.  Otfirid.  Elders.  M.  -ku-c-lvu.  Schedewie.  Heinrich. 

Diabetes  MeUitus.   Ecac.tic.al  P^Lairic_Tjbex4PX   216-224.1985. 

Fiser.  Robert  H.  Elders.  M.Joycelyn.  Schedewie,  Heinrich.  vou  Schnakenburg. 

Klaus.:  Congenital  Adrenal  Hyperplasia.   Practical  Pediatric  Therapy.  233-237. 

J986. 

Schedewie.  Heinrich,  Elders.  M.  Joycelyn.  Fiser,  Robert  H.  Jr.,  Butenandt.  Otfrid: 

Nonendocrine  Disorders  of  Mineral  Metabolism.   Practical  Pediatric  Therapy. 

247-254,  1985. 

Schedewie.  Heinrich,  Elders,  M.  Joycelyn.  Fiser,  Robert  H..  Jr.,  Butenandt,  Otfrid.: 

Endocrine  Disorders  of  Mineral  Metabolism.  Practical  Pediatric  Therapy.  260-262, 

1985. 

Schedewie,  Heinrich.  Elders,  M.  Joycelyn.  Fiser.  Robert  H.,  Jr.,  Butenandt,  Otfrid.: 

Treatment  of  Hypercalcemia.  Practical  Pediatric  Therapy.  260-262.1985. 

Schedewie.  Heinrich.  Elders.  M.  Joycelyn.  Fiser.  Robert  H,  Jr..  Butenandt,  Otfrid.: 

Treatment  of  Hypocalcemia.  Practical  Pediatric  Therapy,  162-263.  1985. 

Kemp.  ST..  Elders.  M.J.,  Schedewie,  ELK-,  Vesely.  D.L.:  Evidence  of  post-receptor 

defect  in  leprechaunism:  decreased  cyclic  GMP  levels  and  quanylate  cyclase 

activity.  Clin.  Res.  34:223A,  1986. 

Frindik.  Ji\.  Morris.  M.D.,  Kemp,  S.F.,  Elders.  M.  J.:  The  effect  of  growth 

hormone  on  lipid  profiles  of  growth  hormone  deficient  children.  Clin.  Res.  34:233  A, 

1986. 

Frindik.  J.P..  Kemp,  S.F..  Yeh.  T.C..  Elders.  M.J.:  Possible  common  defect  in  the 

pathway  of  polypeptide  hormone  action  in  leprechaunism    Clin   Res.  34:252A, 

1986. 

Kemp.  S.F.,  Ma,  F.J.,  Frindik,  J.P.,  Elders.  M.J.:  Role  of  somatomedin  in 

regulation  of  glycosaminoglycan  biosynthesis.  Ped.  Res.  216A:  #381. 1986. 

Frindik.  J.P.,  Kemp.  S.F..  Yeh,  Y.C..  Elders.  M.J.:  Possible  common  defect  in  the 

pathway  of  polypeptide  hormone  action  in  leprechaunism.  Ped.  Res.  214A#369, 

1986. 

Frindik.  J.P.,  Morris.  M.D.,  Kemp,  S.F..  Elders,  M.J.:  Effects  of  growth  hormone  on 

lipid  profile  of  growth  hormone  deficient  children.  Ped.  Res.  214A:#370, 1986. 

Hu.  Lei-Men,  Kemp,  Stephen  F..  Elders,  M. Joycelyn,  Smith.  W.  Grady:  Protein 

phosphorylation  in  somatomedin-stimulated  chick  cartilage  cells.  FASEB,  1986. 

Smith,  W.  Grady,  Hu,  Lei-Men.  Kemp,  S.F.,  Elders.  M.J.:  Evidence  for 

Phosphorylation  of  proteoglycans  in  chick  embryo  cartilage  cells.   FASEB.  1986. 

Geflner.  Mitchell  E.,  Bersch.  Noelle.  Kaplan,  Solomon  A.,  Lippe.  Barbara  M.,  Van 

Herle,  Andre,  Elders,  M.  Joycelyn.  Golde.  David  W.:  Growth  without  growth 

hormone:  Evidence  for  a  potent  circulating  human  growth  factor.   Lancet,  Feb.  15. 

343-346.  1986. 

Simeon  I.  Taylor,  Bernice  Marcus-Samuels,  Janice  Ryan-Young.  Sheryl  Leventhal, 

and  M.  Joycelyn  Elders:   Genetics  of  the  insulin  receptor  defect  in  a  patient  with 

extreme  insulin  resistance.  J.  Clin.  Endocr.  Metab.  62(6  ):1 130-1 135,  1986. 


96 

137.  Vesely.  David  L.,  Heinrich  K  Schedewie,  Stephen  F.  Kemp.  J.  Paul  Frindik,  and  M. 
Joycelyn  Elders:  Decreased  cyclic  guanosine  3',  5'  monophosphate  and  quanylate 
cyclase  activity  in  leprechaunism:  evidence  for  a  post-receptor  defect.  Ped.  Res. 
20(4>:329331, 19S6. 

138.  Bolze.  M.  Sue,  Robert  D.  Reeves,  Frederick  E.  Lindbeck,  M.  Joycelvn  Elders: 
Influence  of  Vitamin  A  on  growth  Somatomedin  and  glycosaminoglycan 
metabolism.  Nutr.  Res.  Vol.  6:395-405,  1986. 

139.  Elders,  M.  Joycelyn,  Williams,  Becky,  and  Harris,  Zenobia:  Invest  a  Nickel,  Save  a 
Dime  -  School  Based  Health  Services  for  Arkansas.  Journal  of  the  Arkansas  Medical 
Society.  Volume  85.  Number  6.  December.  1988. 

140.  Elders.  M.  Joycelyn:  Keynote  Address  to  the  Academy  for  Educational 
Development  Conference  -  Urb«o  M«ldle  5w-l»«w>l<=  Ad«.Uc<-or.»  Pr-enancv  Prevention 
Program.   Mav  1990  AED 

1J1.  Elders.  M.  Joycelvn:  Address  •••  tb*  JP5?«»  A.u»vvi'.nn  K I «•».««  ?!  S«ciety  Annual 

Session.   Journal  of  the  Arkansas  Medical  Society.  Vol.  ?7.  Num.  1.  June  1990. 

142.  Elders.  M.  Jovcelyn:  Address  to  the  Robert  Wood  Johnson  Foundation's 
School- Based  Adolescent  Health  Care  Program  in  Princeton.  NJ.   ACCESS 
newsletter,  summer.  1990.(in  progress) 

143.  Elders.  M.  Joycelyn.  Hui,  Jeunifer,  Padilla.  Steffi  Essav  "Adolescent  Pregnancy: 
Does  the  Nation  Really  Care?".  Berkeley  Women's  Law  Journal.  1989-90.  Vol.  5. 

144.  Elders,  M.  Joycelyn.  Hui.  Jennifer:  Article,  "School-Based  Clinics:  Meeting  Health 
Needs  of  Adolescents".   California  Pediatrician  -  Spring  1990.  Vol.  6. 

145.  Elders.  M.  Joycelyn,  Hui,  Jennifer:  Paper-  Adolescent  Health  Issues  and  Policy 
Implications.   The  Southeast  Regional  Seminar  on  the  Rural  Family  and  Poverty, 
Mississippi  State  University,  February,  1990. 

146.  Ellis,  Eileen;  Kemp.  Stephen;  Frindik,  J.;  Elders,  Joycelyn:  Glomerulopathy  in 
Donohue  Syndrome  (Leprechaunism).  Submitted  to  the  Journal  of  Pediatrics  - 
June,  1990. 

147.  Elders.  M.  Joycelyn:  Maternal  and  Child  Health:  A  Challenge  to  our  Health. 
Education  and  Socio-Economic  System.   Submitted  to  the  National  AHEC  Bulletin, 
July  6, 1990. 

148.  Elders.  M.  Joycelyn:  Promoting  the  Health  of  Adolescents.  Proceedings  from  the 
1990  State  Adolescent  Health  Coordinator's  Conference  in  Washington,  D.C..  1990. 

149.  Elders.  M.  Joycelyn:  Adolescent  Health  Issues:  What  is  Our  Role?  North  Carolina 
Medical  Journal  for  Doctors  and  their  Patients.  May,  1991  -  Volume  52,  Number  5, 
pp.  214. 

150.  Elders.  M.  Joycelyn:  School-Based  Clinics.  The  School  Administrator.  September. 
1992. 

151.  Elders,  M.  Joycelyn;  Hui,  Jennifer.  Comprehensive  School  Health  Services:  Does 
It  Matter  and  Is  It  Worth  the  Fight?  Submitted  to  the  Council  of  Chief  State 
School  Officers,  October,  1992. 


97 


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July  14  1993 


Honorable  Edward  M.  Kennedy 
United  States  Senate 
Washington,  DC  20510-2101 

Dear  Senator  Kennedy: 

As  you  begin  conskJentkn  of  the  nomination  of  Dr.  Joycelyn  Elders  to  become 
the  Surgeon  General  of  the  United  States,  I,  on  behalf  of  145,000  members  of  the 
National  Association  of  Social  Workers  (NASW),  urge  yon  to  support  her 
nomination. 

Dr.  Elders  is  one  of  the  country^  most  creditable  public  health  officials  and  she 
has  dedicated  ha  life  to  addressing  public  health  issues  and  the  needs  of  children. 

As  social  workers  who  are  on  the  front  lines  of  the  human  service  delivery 
system,  NASW  members  are  all  too  aware  of  the  need  to  address  the  country's 
human  needs  deficit,  particularly  those  of  children.  Our  members  understand  that 
as  the  "doctor  to  the  nation,"  the  Surgeon  General  has  a  unique  opportunity  to 
bring  high  visibility  to  such  critical  issues.  We  believe  Dr.  Elders  is  qualified  and 
determined  to  do  just  that. 

Dr.  Elders  has  fought  for  preventative  health  care  services  like  childhood 
immunization.  t-rp^p^-^  cmldbood  health  screenings,  and  education  programs  for 
children  that  focus  on  the  dangers  of  drugs,  HIV  infection  and  violent  behavior. 
She  has  the  courage  to  speak  her  mind  based  on  a  tremendous  record  of 
achievement  and  r^"*"1  conviction.  As  a  pro-child  advocate.  Dr.  Elders  has 
staled  that,  "—you  cant  educate  children  if  they  are  not  healthy  and  you  cant 
keep  them  healthy  if  they  are  not  caw  iiwl — " 

NASW  looks  forward  to  your  leadership  to  insure  that  the  Dame,  weak  and  scope 
of  the  debate  on  the  nomination  of  Dr.  Elders  remains  focused,  as  it  should  be, 
on  her  prw»*  integrity,  her  enrnprtrnrr.  ucrVntiah  and  her  pursuit  of  sound 
public  health  policy. 


ChEm. 


jurfyCWalnJ.  ACSW-  1995 

ext-ojttve  oatcrot 

StwUo*  (.  GnMw  ii.  ACSW.  usw 
ASSOCIATE  EXECUTIVE  OCECTOtS 

M»or  &ooy.  ACsw 

IxsaBeeb* 

GENEKAlCOUNSa 

Cohan  M  C*er.  JD  ACSW 


;  ACSW.  USW 


Executive  Director 


7S0F.fj.Stw.  NF_.  S<«ie700.  Wosh-ngion.  DC  20002-4241         TB. .  (2021  408-8600        TTO  (202)336-8396       FAX:  (2021  3368310 


& 


98 

OOAKTMENT  OF  HlALTH  A  HUMAN  lUYICU  ■*•  *  *■ 


m  w»  ow*  Dmam* 
OC  3BM1 


Th*  honorable  Senator  Edward  H.    Kennedy 

-chairman  ■ 

Coaetittee  on  Labor  and  Hn»»n  Raeourpee  ,  , 

united  IUtM  fl*nat*  JuL*  17'  lt>93 

Washington,  DC  20310-Rioo 

Uj.  M.  Joyu«lyn  Kloera,  K.D. 

Dear  Senator  Kennedy: 

I  •■  *  career  ember  of  the  0«nlor  executive  service  and  have 
been  the  Designated  Agency  Ethics  Official  for  the  Department  of 
Health  and  Human  Servloe*  (HIM)  for  th*  part  three  yaar*.   Prior 
to  that,  X  served  as  Deputy  General  Counsel  at  tba  Department  of 
Energy  for  approximately  four  year*  ajid  eupervlaed  the  ethic* 
Cunction  in  that  Department  ee  well.  Z  therefore  here  «  close 
working  familiarity  with  the  practloe*  of  two  cehlnet  Deportments 
with  reepeot  to  incoming  Preeidential  appointee*  in  the  neagan. 
Bush  and  Clinton  Administrations. 

It  ie  te  my  knowledyw  common  practice  throughout  the  Executive 
Branch  for  incoming  Preeidential  appointee*  to  retain  their 
tonar  positions  until  such  time  as  they  are  oonf  lraed  by  the 
Senate. 

Prior  to  confirmation,  such  nominee*  say,  however,  legally  Join 
tho  Oeperteent  in  an  intermittent  consultant  eapaaity.  '  Moreover, 
from  the  perspective  of  Federal  lav.  there  io  no  impediment  to 
tae  reowipt  or  payments  by  an  intermittent  consultant  from  that 
person's  current  non-Federal  employer,  for  as  long  as  that  person 
remains  a  spec la I  cover naent  employee  (SCE) . 

In  the  executive  Branch  of  the  United  8tatea  Government,  the 
primary  prohibition  against  eappleaentatlon  of  outside  Income  Is 
it  g.H.C.  Section  209.  By  its  terms,  Section  209  "does  net  apply 
to  a  special  Government  employee*  end  la  thue  inapplicable  to  all 
of  the  many  Intermittent  consultants  who  earve  the  Federal 
Government.   (It  would  b»»  difficult,  if  not  Impossible,  for 
example,  to  persuade  tenured  members  of  acadealo  faculties  ever 
to  serve  as  intermittent  consultants  if  such  brief  Federal 
service  required  then  to  resign  from  their  academic  positions.) 


II  D.S.C.  Section  202(a)  defines  a  "special  Government  employes" 
as  an  employee  retained  to  perform  "temporary  duties  either  en  a 
full-time,  or  intermittent  basis"  for  a  period  "not  to  exceed  one 
hundred  end  thirty  days  during  any  period  of  three  hundred  and 

eixty-fiv*  consecutive  devs."  *•  Joyoelyn  Cicers,  M.O.,  began 
eerviue  as  a  consultant  (SGE)  to  HHS  en  April  It,  1993,  on 
approxismtely  a  two  dav  a  week  baeia  until  July  *,  1*92,  when  ah* 
b«g«n  working  for  HMS  on  approximately  a  five  day  a  week  basis. 
As  of  this  dete,  she  hee  been  employed  a*  en  SOS  tor 
approximately  30  workdays,  veil  below  tbs  legal  limit  of  13 0. 

Z  stand  reedy  to  answer  any  further  questions  at  any  time  with 
respect  to  this  matter-   If  X  may  b«  of  further  assistance, 
please  do  not  heeitate  to  oontaat  me  at  (202)  690-7219. 

an  identical  letter  hat  been  addressed  to  the  Ranking  Minority. 

Sincerely, 


Jack  H.  Kress 

Special  Counsel  for  Etttlee  and 

uesignatod  Agenoy  Xthloa  official 


1 


99 

tfSATQR  «gss2S  ""^  OT  Pr<>tt  offic" 

iiiuuirc-iicviOT 

Worthy  Of  Western  Pennsylvania 
WEDNESDAY,  JULY  21 ',  7i«M 

i 

For  surgeon  general 

The  nomination  of  Dr.  JoycelyuElden  to  be  US.  our- 
geon  general  bo  cceattrt  much  ado  about  philosophy  and 
ethics;  UttU  about  quallfloulonA.  Lef  t  look  behind  the 
rhetoric 

She  is  a.  pre-eminent  pediatrician,  former  moitcal 
vhnni  factiltyaMoiberia&tbwaxifiiorofiunneroua  stud- 
ies ua  pediatric  andoctinolofjc  As  head  of  the  Arkansas 
Department  of  Healih .  she  wu  on  able  tdmlnlstra  tor 
who.  according  to  Cbntf/tsriowit  Quartsr(x  established  2b 
schuul-basefl  health  clinics  offrrlng  a  ranee  of  services 
_from  hanmnhactJon  to  birth  oantroL 

And.  aba  is  an  advocate  of  pi  wan  live  medidne.  t 
health-car*  attitndw  embraced  by  many  for  lis  oast-cutting 
jwtaurlal  as  weEas  its  sodal  enlightenment 
*Tet  it  is  her  ouisooxenn  ess — not  to  mention  her  a  rtvo- 
cacy  of  abortion  rights,  sex  education  and  distribution  of 
eondouia  In  public  schools — that  has  put  many  in  Con1 
crass  in  efimk 

Certainls  such  views  desera  scrutiny  But  wbenlast 
"*re  looked,  tt  was  etfEthepraujaQro  of  the  president — 
not  the  Congress— tnnarainaicq.uallJ^lridtvidnilifi3r 
tpp  posts  vrilhm  the  aduimlstration.  IFe  the  durjufthe 
Senate  to  wetgh  those  QjwUfiral  Inns:  than  olthar  confirm 
ot  reject  the  nomination.  - 

Nowhere  inthe  political  proeats  does  it  say  (he presi- 
dent must  nominate  on  indtvidwl  poll tieally  acceptable 
oniulpdntstoajicnugresaidrial  actions. The  key  consid- 
eration haro  shonld  ba  qpaflflatloas  And  Ettea  It  wall 
quaimed  to  be  iht  nation?!  trip  doctor 

It's  only  natural  that  BUI  Qinton  would  want  a  surgeon 
ffroaral  whose  view*  were  tnJlnawim  his.  She  would  be, 
in  eflScx.  his  voice  in  setting  the  naflqtfs  health  policy    . 

True,  questions  has*  been  raised  about  the  S&-year-old 
doctor's  financial  dealings —bar  role  on  an  Arkansas 
lank  hoard,  bar  finally*  taxes  and  bar  continued  accep- 
tanoe  (naffi.  Sunday)  of  her  stats  salary  wnl  to  drawing  a 
federal  consulting  fee.  • 

Up  to  now,  however,  the  crifldsin  of  Dr.  Elders  las  been 
based  on  allegations  more  than  facts:  as  such,  they  should 
hayallttkbcaitag  oaths  nutsfion  of  ha-  service  asasur 
geauijenerai. 

In  thb  case,  niAdical  background  and  parfbrmance 
should  be  the  determining  factors  in  the  nomination  of 
DcDdensaswenoahercunflnnation.     ■ 

■     ShelsguaMMtobemiTJ^snipmgoncralonlwa 
counts.  The  Senate  shotUd  confirm  her. 


100 

'M.  Joycdyn  liders,  M/D. 

S10  ikCarda  Cove 

LatkKpcfuAitsBisas  72206 


July  22, 1993 


The  Honorable  Edward  M.  Kennedy 
Chairman 

Senate  Labor  &  Human 
Resources  Committee 
315  Russell 
United  States  Senate 
Washington,  D.C  20510 

The  Honorable  Nancy  Landon  Kassebaum 
Ranking  Minority  Member 
Senate  Labor  &  Human 
Resources  Committee 
302  Russell 
United  States  Senate 
Washington,  D.  C  20510 

Dear  Senators  Kennedy  and  Kassebaum: 

I  write  in  response  to  your  request  for  answers  to  the  following  questions 
concerning  die  National  Bank  of  Arkansas. 

I  welcome  the  opportunity  to  address  these  issues  in  response  to  your 
questions,  and  remain  available  to  answer  questions  from  the  senators  at  the  hearing  as 
welL 


QUESTION  1; 

Was  the  National  Bank  of  Arkansas  ("NBA")  ever  subject  to  a  formal 
enforcement  action  under  12  U5.C  Section  1818? 

ANSWER: 

The  NBA  was  subject  to  a  formal  enforcement  action  under  12  US.C 

Section  1818  in  the  form  of  a  formal  written  agreement  between  the  Comptroller  of  the 
Currency  and  the  Board  of  Directors  of  the  bank 

QUESTION  2: 

Did  an  Office  of  the  Comptroller  of  the  Currency  ("OCC")  examination 
report  find  that  any  directors  of  the  NBA  engaged  in  practices  that  violated  national 
banking  laws  regarding  either  safety  and  soundness  or  criminal  activity? 

ANSWER 

I  was  briefed  at  Board  meetings  on  the  contents  of  examination  reports  by 
the  OCC  and  the  President  of  the  Board.  I  was  advised  that  all  directors  were  cited  in 
examination  reports  as  having  violated  national  banking  laws  and  safety  and  soundness 
laws  relating  to  their  failure  properly  to  supervise  bank  management  I  was  advised 
that  the  examination  reports  did  not  find  their  activity  to  be  criminal. 


101 

QUESTION  3: 

Did  any  directors  of  the  NBA,  including  yourself,  receive  letters  of 
reprimand  from  the  OCC? 

ANSWER 

I  received  a  letter  of  reprimand  solely  in  my  capacity  as  a  member  of  the 
Board  of  Directors  of  NBA.  I  believe  that  other  directors  who  served  on  the  Board  also 
received  letters  of  reprimand. 

QUESTION* 

Was  any  of  your  conduct  cited  specifically  in  any  examination  report? 

ANSWER 

I  believe  that  no  conduct  in  which  I  personally  engaged  was  ever  cited 
specifically  in  any  examination  report. 

QUESTION  5: 

Were  the  directors  ever  informed  by  examiners  that  the  bank  management 
was  engaging  or  had  engaged  in  unsafe  and  unsound  banking  activities  or  violations  of 
national  banking  laws? 

ANSWER 

As  a  result  of  the  examination  reports,  Board  directors  were  informed  that 
bank  management  had  engaged  in  unsafe  and  unsound  banking  practices  which  were 
in  violation  of  national  banking  laws. 

QUESTION  fr 

Did  the  directors  take  action  to  reasonably  ensure  that  the  activities  cited 
in  the  OCC  reports  would  not  continue? 

ANSWER 

I  believe  that  although  the  examiners  acknowledged  that  remedial  actions 
were  taken,  the  examiners  did  not  view  those  actions  as  sufficient  to  correct  the 

activities  of  bank  management  Thus,  a  letter  of  reprimand  was  issued  by  the  OCC  to 
me  and  the  other  directors. 

QUESTION  7: 

Are  you  the  target  of  further  investigation? 
ANSWER 

I  believe  that  I  am  not  the  target  of  any  further  investigation. 
QUESTIONS: 

Did  the  Board  grant  each  director  a  $200,000  extension  of  credit? 


102 

ANSWER 

The  minutes  of  the  Board  of  Directors  meetings  indicate  that  the  directors 
were  given  an  extension  of  credit  up  to  $230,000.  This  extension  of  credit  was  not 
construed  by  me  as  'automatic  loan  approval'  in  that  each  loan  was  subject  to  the  usual 
bank  policies  and  procedures  applied  for  by  anyone  else  I  abstained  from  the  Board 
vote  granting  me  this  extension  of  credit 

QUESTION?: 

If  the  directors  received  such  an  extension  of  credit,  was  this  decision  ever 
cited  or  criticized  by  the  banking  examiners? 

ANSWER 

No. 

QUESTION  10: 

Did  you  ever  borrow  money  from  the  NBA  during  the  time  you  were  a 
member  of  the  Board? 

ANSWER 

Yes. 
QUESTION  11; 

What  was  the  purpose  of  (each)  such  loan? 

ANSWER 

I  borrowed  from  the  bank  on  various  occasions  under  terms  and 
conditions  available  to  other  borrowers.  The  purpose  of  the  loans  was     primarily  for 
commercial  ventures,  including  the  purchase  of  real  estate. 

QUESTION  12: 

Did  you  ever  borrow  any  money  from  the  bank  at  preferential  rates  not 
offered  to  other  borrowers  during  the  time  you  were  a  member  of  the  Board? 


103 

answer- 
No. 
QUESTION  13; 

Did  you  recuse  yourself  from  discussion  or  approval  by  the  Board  of  any 
loan  you  had  requested? 

ANSWER 

I  recused  myself  from  voting  on  the  extension  of  credit  by  the  other 
members  of  the  Board  of  Directors  to  myself. 

QUESTION  14; 

Does  the  Comptroller  of  the  Currency  have  to  approve  or  sign  off  on  any 
settlement  agreement  involving  litigation  alleging  violations  of  federal  banking  laws? 

ANSWER 

Not  to  my  knowledge. 


I  hope  that  the  above  responds  to  your  questions  in  this  area. 

Very  truly  yours, 


104 


American  Medical  Association 


Jam* *  To<M.  WD  ;|-,  \..«ri,N«.,i»^f —  i|*  m;i.v«» 


July  9.  1993 


The  Honorable  Edward  M.  Kennedy 

United  Suies  Senate 

3  IS  Russell  Senate  Office  Bui  Wing 

Washington.  DC  20510 

Dear  Chairman  Kennedy: 

On  behalf  of  the  American  Medical  Association  (AMA).  I  would  like  to  enthusiastically 
endorse  the  nomination  of  M.  Joycdyn  Elders.  M.D.  for  the  position  of  Surgeon  General  of 
the  United  States  Public  Health  Service. 

The  Surgeon  General  presently  serves  »n  advocate  for  the  public  and  an  advisor  to  the  nation 
on  matters  of  public  health.    In  recent  years,  '.ne  role  of  the  Surgeon  General  has  greatly 
expanded.   The  Surgeon  General  has  the  opportunity  to  educate  both  the  public  and  policy 
makers  on  critical  health  issues  such  as  AIDS,  smoking,  immunization,  violence,  nutrition. 
and  disease  prevention. 

In  many  ways.  Dr.  Elders,  a  pediatric  endocrinologist,  has  trained  extensively  to  Fill  the  role 
of  Surgeon  General.   As  a  pediatrician.  Dr.  Elders  protected  and  cared  for  the  nation" $  most 
vulnerable  population,  its  youth.   In  1937.  then-Governor  Bill  Clinton  appointed  Dr.  Elders 
to  position  of  Director  of  the  Arkansas  Department  of  Health.   During  her  tenure.  Dr.  Elders 
worked  extensively,  to  promote  many  public  health  issues,  including  greater  immunization  • 
rates  in  preschool  children,  expanded  services  for.. pregnant  women,  increased  AIDS  testing 
and  counseling,  and'  improved  access  to  heal'Ji  care  providers  in  rural  and  underserved  areas. 
In  this  position.  Dr.  Elders  has  provided  exceptional  leadership  as  an  advocate  for  the  health 
concerns  of  the  public 

For  her  contributions  to  public  health.  Dr  Elders  has  earned  numerous  awards,  including  the 
AMA's  1990  Nathan  Davis  Award  and  me  aMA's  1990  National  Congress  on  Adolescent 
Health  Award  for  Outstanding  Efforts  on  Behalf  of  America's  Youth.  She  currently  serves  . 
as  President  for  the  Association  of  Stzie  and  Territorial  Health  Officers.   Dr.  Elders  is  a 
graduate  of  Philander  Smith  College  in  LitUe  Rock  and  the  University  of  Arkansas  Medical 
School. 

Dr.  Elders  brings  the  requisite  experience,  know-ledge  and  commitment  to  provide  leadership 
as  Surgeon  General.   The  nation  would  be  well  served  by  her  appointment  to  this  critio: 
position  in  the  Clinton  Administration.   Tfce  AMA  appreciates  the  opportunity  to  convex-  .iur 
full  support  for  Dr.  Elders  and  to  urge  you  co  confirm  her  to  the  position  of  Sureeon 
General.   We  look  forward  to  working  wish  Dr.  Elders  in  the  future. 


Sincerely. 
JamL's.  Todd.  MD 


105 

NATIONAL  ENDORSEMENTS  FOR  DR.  ELDERS 
as  of  27  July  1993  (12.00  pm) 

9  to  5 

A.  Phillip  Randolph  Institute 

ActionAIDS 

Adolescent  AIDS  Program 

AIDS  Action  Council 

AIDS  National  Interfaith  Network 

Alan  Guttmacher  Institute 

Alliance  for  Young  Families 

Alliance  to  End  Chiklhood  Lead  Poisoning 

Alpha  Phi  Alpha  Fraternity.  Inc. 

Ambulatory  Pediatric  Association 

Ambulatory  Pediatrics  Association 

American  Academy  of  Child  and  Adolescent  Psychiatry 

American  Academy  of  FamBy  Physicians 

American  Academy  of  Pediatrics 

American  Association  for  World  Health 

American  Association  of  Black  Cardiologists 

American  Association  of  Dental  Schools 

American  Association  of  Medial  Schools 

American  Association  of  School  Administrators 

American  Association  of  Sex  Educators.  Counselors,  and  Therapists 

American  Association  of  University  Women 

American  Cancer  Society 

American  Civil  Liberties  Union 

American  College  Health  Association 

American  College  of  Obstetricians  and  Gynecologists 

American  College  of  Physicians 

American  College  of  Preventive  Medicine 

American  Cyanamid  Company  (Lederie  Laboratories) 

American  Dietetic  Association 

American  Federation  of  Labor-Congress  ot  Industrial  Organizations 

American  Federation  of  Teachers 

American  Federaton  of  State  and  County  Municipal  Employees.  AFLCIO 

American  Fertility  Society 

American  Foundation  for  AIDS  Research 

American  Friends  Service  Committee 

American  Heart  Association 

American  Home  Economics  Association 

American  Jewish  Congress 

American  Library  Association 

American  Lung  Association 

American  Medical  Association 

American  Medical  Student's  Association 

American  Medical  Women's  Association.  Inc. 

American  Nurses  Association 

American  Occupational  Therapy  Association,  Inc. 

American  Orthopsychiatric  Association 

American  Pediatric  Society 

American  Psychiatric  Association 

American  Psychiatric  Society 

American  Psychological  Association 

American  Public  Hearth  Association 

American  School  Food  Service  Association 

American  School  Health  Association 

American  Schools  of  Public  Health 

American  Social  Hearth  Association 

American  Society  for  Adolescent  Psychiatry 

American  Society  for  Clinical  Nutrition 

American  Society  for  Medical  Technology 

American  Society  for  Parenteral  and  Enteral  Nutrition 


106 

American  Society  of  Pubfic  Health 

Americans  for  Democratic  Action,  Inc. 

Artemis  Project 

Asian  American  Hearth  Forum,  Inc. 

Asian/Pacific  AIDS  Coalition 

Asians  and  Pacific  Islanders  for  Reproductive  Health 

Association  for  the  Advancement  of  Health  Education 

Association  for  Vital  Records  and  Health  Statistics 

Association  of  American  Medical  Colleges 

Association  of  Asian/Pacific  Community  Health  Organizations 

Association  of  Black  Cardiologists.  Inc. 

Association  of  Black  Sociologists 

Association  of  Faculties  of  Graduate  Prograns  in  Public  Health  Nutrition 

Association  of  Junior  Leagues  International 

Association  of  Local  Health  Liaison  Officials 

Association  of  Maternal  and  Child  Health  Directors 

Association  of  Maternal  and  Child  Health  Programs 

Association  of  Reproductive  Hearth  Professionals 

Association  of  Schools  of  Public  Health 

Association  of  State/Territorial  Chronic  Disease  Program  Directors 

Association  of  State/Territorial  Dental  Directors 

Association  of  State/Territorial  Directors  of  Nursing 

Association  of  State/Territorial  Directors  of  Pubfic  Health  Educators 

Association  of  State/Territorial  Health  Officials 

Association  of  State/Territorial  Local  Health  Liaison  Officials 

Association  of  State/Territorial  Public  Health  Education 

Association  of  State/Territorial  Public  Health  Laboratory  Directors 

Association  of  State/Territorial  Public  Health  Nutrition  Directors 

Association  of  State/Territorial  Public  Health  Social  Work 

Association  of  the  Faculties  of  Graduate  Programs  in  Pubfic  Health  Nutrition 

Association  of  Women's  Health,  Obstetric,  and  Neonatal  Nurses 

Assoicated  Group 

B*Nai  B'rith  Women 

B'nai  B'rith 

Biotechnology  Industry  Organization 

Black  Leadership  Forum 

Black  Women's  Agenda,  Inc. 

Business  and  Professional  Women/USA 

Campaign  for  Fairness 

Campaign  for  Women's  Health 

Catholics  for  Free  Choice 

Catholics  Speak  Out 

Center  for  Population  Options 

Center  for  Reproductive  Law  and  Policy 

Center  for  Science  in  the  Pubfic  Interest 

Center  for  Women  Poficy  Studies 

Child  Welfare  League  of  America 

Children  and  Youth  2000 

Church  Association  for  Community  Services 

Church  Women  United 

Citizen  Action 

Clinical  Directors  Network  Region  II,  Inc. 

Coalition  for  Nutrition  Services  in  Health  Care  Reform 

Coalition  for  School-Based  Primary  Care 

Coalition  of  100  Black  Women 

Coalition  of  Black  Trade  Unionists 

Consumer  Federation  of  America 

Coalition  of  Labor  Union  Women 

Coalition  on  Smoking  OR  Health 

Commission  on  Pan-Methodist  Cooperation 

Commissioned  Officers  Association  of  U.S.  Public  Health  Service 

Committee  for  Education  Funding 

Congressional  Black  Caucus 


107 

Congressional  Caucus  for  Women's  Issues 

Consumer  Federal  of  America 

Consumer  Federation  of  America 

Council  for  State  and  Territorial  Epidemiologists 

Council  of  Chief  State  School  Officers 

Council  of  Great  City  Schools 

Council  of  State/Territorial  Epidemiologists 

Council  of  the  Great  City  Schools 

Delta  Sigma  Theta  Sorority.  Inc. 

Doctors  Ought  to  Care 

Drug.  Hospital,  and  Health  Care  Employees  Union 

Education/Training/Research  Associates 

Environmental  Defense  Fund 

Family  Planning  Center.  Inc. 

Food  Research  and  Action  Center 

Fund  for  the  Feminist  Majority 

Funders  Concerned  about  AIDS 

Girls,  Inc. 

Harvard  School  of  Public  Health 

Health  Policy  Institute 

Hetrick-Martin  Institute  for  Gay  and  Lesbian  Youth 

Hispanic  Nurses  Association 

Human  Rights  Campaign  Fund 

ILGWU 

Institution  for  Advanced  Study  of  Human  Sexuality  Alumni  Association 

International  Coal'rton  of  Women  Physicians.  Inc. 

Japanese  American  Citizens  League 

Juvenile  Diabetes  Foundation  International 

Kappa  Alpha  Psi  Fraternity.  Inc. 

Large  Council  Executive  Director's  Association 

Legal  Defense  and  Education  Fund 

March  of  Dimes.  Birth  Defects  Foundation 

Martin  Luther  King  Center  for  Nonviolent  Social  Change 

Maternal  &  Child  Health  Institute 

Maternal  and  Child  Health  Institute  (Atlanta) 

Mexican  American  Women's  National  Association 

Minority  Cardiovascular  Disease  Prevention  Task  Force 

Ms.  Foundation  for  Women 

NAACP 

NAACP  (Little  Rock) 

NAACP  Legal  Defense  Fund 

National  Abortion  Federation 

National  Abortion  Rights  Action  League 

National  Alliance  of  State  and  Territorial  AIDS  Directors 

National  Assembly  of  State  Arts  Agencies 

National  Assodarton  of  Secondary  School  Principals 

National  Association  for  Equal  Opportunity  in  Higher  Education 

National  Association  for  Sickle  Cell  Disease 

National  Association  of  Black  Psychologists 

National  Association  of  Children's  Hospitals  and  Related  Institutions.  Inc. 

National  Association  of  Community  Hearth  Centers 

National  Association  of  County  Health  Officials 

National  Association  of  Ecumenical  Staff 

National  Association  of  Elementary  School  Principals 

National  Association  of  Health  Services  Executives 

National  Association  of  Labor  Workers 

National  Association  of  Pediatric  Nurses  and  Practitioners 

National  Association  of  People  with  AIDS 

National  Association  of  Protection  and  Advocacy  Systems 

National  Association  of  School   Nurses 

National  Association  of  Secondary  School  Principals 

National  Association  of  Social  Workers 

National  Association  of  State  Alcohol  and  Drug  Abuse  Directors.  Inc. 

National  Association  of  State  Boards  of  Education 


108 


National  Association  of  WIC  Directors 

National  Black  Caucus  of  State  Legislators 

National  Black  Child  Development  Institute 

National  Black  Nurses  Association  (40  letters) 

National  Black  Women's  Health  Project 

National  Catholic  AIDS  Network 

National  Caucus  and  Center  on  Black  Aged.  Inc. 

National  Coalition  to  Support  Sexuality  Education 

National  Committee  on  Pay  Equity 

National  Community  AIDS  Partnership 

National  Consumers  League 

National  Council  of  Jewish  Women 

National  Council  of  Negro  Women 

National  Council  of  Senior  Citizens 

National  Council  on  Alcoholism  and  Drug  Dependence.  Inc. 

National  Council  on  Family  Relations 

National  Education  Association 

National  Education  Association  Health  information  Network 

National  Environmental  Health  Association 

National  Episcopal  AIDS  Coalition 

National  Family  Planning  and  Reproductive  Health  Association 

National  Federation  of  Business  and  Professional  Women's  Clubs,  Inc. 

National  Foundation  for  Infectious  Diseases 

National  Gay  and  Lesbian  Task  Force 

National  Jewish  Democratic  Council 

National  Lawyers  Guild 

National  Leadership  Coalition  on  AIDS 

National  Lesbian  and  Gay  Health  Foundation 

National  Medical  Association 

National  Medical  Political  Action  Committee 

National  Minority  AIDS  Council 

National  Multiple  Sclerosis  Association 

National  Native  American  AIDS  Prevention  Center 

National  Network  of  Runaway  and  Youth  Services 

National  Network  of  Runaway  Services 

National  Organization  of  Women  (NOW) 

National  Organization  of  Women  Legal  Defense  and  Education  Fund 

National  Organization  on  Adolescent  Pregnancy,  Parenting,  and  Prevention 

National  Organization  Responding  to  AIDS 

National  Pan  Hellenic  Council 

National  Pediatric  HIV  Resource  Center 

National  Poetical  Congress  of  Black  Women 

National  Program  to  Prevent  Unintended  Pregnancy 

National  PTA 

National  Public  Health  Information  Coalition 

National  Puerto  Rican  Coalition,  Inc. 

National  Resources  Defense  Council 

National  Rural  Health  Association 

National  School  Boards  Association 

National  Smoking  Cessation  Center  for  African  American  Women 

National  Task  Force  on  AIDS  Prevention 

National  Urban  Coalition 

National  Urban  League 

National  WIC  (Women's  Infants,  and  Children)  Directors 

National  Women's  Law  Center 


109 


National  Women's  Political  Caucus 

Northwest  AIDS  Foundation 

Nutrition  Coalition  for  Health  Care  Reform 

Older  Women's  League 

Omega  Psi  Phi  Fraternity.  Inc. 

Operation  PUSH 

Organizadon  Naaonal  de  La  Salud  de  La  Mujer  Latina 

Partnership  for  Prevention 

Pediatric  AIDS  Foundation 

Pension  Rights  Center 

People  for  the  American  Way 

Phi  Beta  Sigma  Fraternity 

Philadelphia  AIDS  Coalition 

Physicians  for  Social  Responsibility 

Planned  Parenthood  Federation  of  America 

Presbyterian  Church  USA 

Produce  for  Better  Hearth  Foundation 

Produce  Marketing  Association 

Public  Citizen 

Public  Hearth  Foundation 

Public  Hearth  Information  Services 

Public  Voice  for  Food  Policy  and  Health 

Religious  Action  Center  of  Reform  Judaism 

Sara  Lee  Corporation 

Sex  Information  and  Education  Council  of  the  U.S. 

Sigma  Gamma  Rho  Sorority,  Inc. 

Society  for  Adolescent  Medicine 

Society  for  Nutrition  Education 

Society  for  Pediatric  Research 

Southern  Christian  Leadership  Conference 

Southern  Regional  Project  of  Infant  Mortality 

State  Family  Planning  Administrators 

Therapeutic  Communities  of  America 

Tobacco  Free  Heartland 

U.S.  Conference  of  Local  Health  Officials 

U.S.  Conference  of  Mayors 

UAW 

Union  of  American  Hebrew  Congregation 

Unitarian  Universalis!  Association  of  Congregations 

United  Church  of  Christ  Office  for  Church  in  Society 

United  Food  and  Commercial  Workers  International  Union.  AFL-CIO  and  CLC 

United  Methodist  Church  and  Society 

United  Methodist  Women 

Voters  for  Choice 

Wider  Opportunities  for  Women,  inc.  (WOW) 

Woman  Activist  Fund 

Women  and  Poverty  Project 

Women's  International  League  for  Peace  and  Freedom 

Women's  Legal  Defense  Fund 

World  Federation  of  Hemophilia 

YWCA  of  U.S.A. 

Zero  Population  Growth 

STATEXLOCAL  ENDORSEMENTS 

100  Black  Women  of  Long  island.  Inc. 

Adolescent  AIDS  Program  of  the  Montefiore  Medical  Center 

AIDS  Project  Los  Angeles 

AIDS  Service  of  Dallas 

Alabama  State  Nurses  Association 

Alaskans/Americans  Living  with  HIV 

Alliance  for  Young  Families 

American  Association  of  University  Women  of  Maine 


110 


American  Lung  Association  of  Illinois 
Arkansas  Advocates  for  Children  and  Families 
Arkansas  Baptist  College 

Arkansas  Chapter  of  the  Society  for  Public  Health  Education 
Arkansas  Children's  Hospital 
Arkansas  Department  of  Health 
Arkansas  Hospital  Association 
Arkansas  Medical  Dental  Pharmaceutical  Association 
Arkansas  Medical  Society 
Arkansas  Minority  AIDS  Task  Force 
Arkansas  Minority  Health  Commission 
Arkansas  PTA 

Arkansas  Public  Health  Association 
Arkansas  State  Board  of  Health 
Atlanta  Neighborhood  Development  Partnership.  Inc. 
Black  Nurses'  Association 
Boston  Women's  Health  Book  Collective 
Broadway  Cares/Equity  Fights  AIDS 
Brooklyn  Pediatric  AIDS  Network 
California  Teen  Pregnancy  and  Parenting  Coalition 
Care  Planned  Parenthood  of  New  York  City 
Central  State  University  of  Ohio 
Chicago  Area  Immunization  Campaign 
Chicago  Public  School  System 
Chicago  Women's  AIDS  Projects 
Chicano/Latino  Medical  Association  of  California 

Children's  Center 
Children's  Diagnostic  and  Treatment  Center  of  South  Florida 
Children's  Hospital  of  Columbus,  Ohio 
City  of  Los  Angeles  AIDS  Coordinator 
Coalition  for  School-Based  Primary  Care 
Coalition  of  100  Black  Women  (of  metropolitan  Atlanta) 
Coalition  of  Black  Trade  Unionists 
Colorado  Academy  of  Family  Physicians.  Inc. 
Community  Health  and  Education  Program  of  the  Columbia  University  School  of 

Community  Hearth  Connection  of  Wilkes.  Inc.;  NC 

Community  United  Methodist  Church 

Community  United  Methodist  Church  of  Brighton.  MA 

Council  of  Black  Nurses  of  Los  Angeles 

Education/T  raining/Research 

El  Centra  del  Pueblo  of  Los  Angeles 

Englewood  Health  Department  of  New  Jersey 

Family  Planning  Center.  Inc. 

Family  Hearth  Council  of  Central  Pennsylvania 

Family  Health  Council  of  Pennsylvania 

Family  Planning  Advocates  of  New  York  State.  Inc. 

FamBy  Planning  Association  of  Maine 

Family  Planning  Center.  Inc. 

Family  Planning  Council  of  Cayuga  County 

Family  Planning  Council  of  Iowa 

Family  Planning  Council  of  New  Hampshire 

Family  Planning  Council  of  Southeastern  Pennsylvania 

Feminist  Women's  Health  Center  of  Atlanta 

Green  Hills  Community  Action  Agency 

Harbor  Sweets 

Health  First 

Hollywood  Women's  Political  Committee 

Horta  Pharm  B.V.  of  the  Netherlands 

Idaho  Women's  Network 

Illinois  Maternal  and  Child  Health  Coalition 

Johns  Hopkins  University  School  of  Medicine  -  Department  of  Pediatrics  and  the 

Kalamazoo  AIDS  Resource  and  Education  Services 

Kansas  Department  of  Health  and  Environment 

Kansas  Health  and  Environment  Chronic  Disease  Control  Division 


Ill 


Legal  Action  Center 

Life  Foundation 

Lincoln  County  Nursing  Service 

Little  Rock  Black  Nurses'  Association 

Los  Angeles  Immunization  Coalition 

Los  Angeles  Regional  Family  Planning  Council.  Inc. 

Louisiana  Department  of  Hearth  and  Hospitals 

Louisiana  Office  of  Public  Health 

Magic  Valley  Citizens  for  Choice 

Maine  Chapter  of  NOW 

Maine  Choice  Coalition 

Maine  Civil  Liberties  Union 

Maine  Women's  Lobby 

Massachusetts  Committee  for  Children  and  Youth 

Massachusetts  Nurses  Association 

Massachusetts  Nutrition  Board 

Massachusetts  Public  Health  Association 

Maternal  and  Child  Health  Coalition  of  Nevada 

MeckJenberg  Council  on  Adolescent  Pregnancy 

Medico-Chirurgical  Society 

Memphis  and  Shelby  County  Health  Department 

Mercy  Family  Medicine  Residency  Program;  Denver.  CO 

Mercy  Medical  Center 

Metropolitan  Washington  Public  Health  Associaiton 

Minority  Task  Force  on  AIDS 

Mississippi  Conference  on  Social  Welfare 

Mississippi  Health  Advocacy  Program 

Mississippi  State  Department  of  Health 

Missouri  Health  Council.  Inc. 

Municipality  of  Anchorage  Department  of  Health  and  Human  Services 

NAACP  (Little  Rock) 

National  Association  of  Children's  Hospitals  and  Related  Institutions.  Inc. 

National  Association  of  Fashion  and  Accessory  Designers  Inc 

National  Association  of  Negro  Business  and  Professional  Women's  Clubs.  Inc. 

National  Coalition  of  100  Black  Women.  Inc.  of  Virginia 

New  Hampshire  Family  Planning  Council 

New  Jersey  State  School  Nurses  Association 

New  Mexico  Community  Foundation 

New  Mexico  Department  of  Health 

New  York  City  Commission  on  the  Status  of  Women 

New  York  State  Department  of  Health  AIDS  Institute 

North  Carol na  Coalition  on  Adolescent  Pregnancy 

North  Dakota  Department  of  Health.  Division  of  Health,  Promotion  and  Education 

North  Dakota  State  Department  of  Health  and  Consolidated  Laboratories 

North  Jersey  Medical  Society 

NOW-San  Francisco  Chapter 

Ogala  Sioux  Tribe 

Oklahoma  Sooner  City  Alumnae  Chapter 

Oregon  Department  of  Human  Resources  Health  Division 

Pediatric  AIDS  Demonstration  Project  for  Alabama 

People  with  AIDS  Coalition  of  Tucson 

Philadelphia  AIDS  Coaltion 

Philander  Smith  College 

Physicians  Association  of  Louisiana.  Inc. 

Planned  Parenthood  of  Alaska 

Planned  Parenthood  of  Broward  County,  FL 

Planned  Parenthood  of  Buffalo  and  Erie  County 

Planned  Parenthood  of  Chester  County  of  Pennsylvania 

Planned  Parenthood  of  Delaware  and  Otsego  Counties 

Planned  Parenthood  of  East  Central  Illinois 

Planned  Parenthood  of  Essex  County 

Planned  Parenthood  of  Greater  Iowa 

Planned  Parenthood  of  Greater  Kansas  City 


112 

Planned  Parenthood  of  Greater  Northern  New  Jersey 
Planned  Parenthood  of  Greater  Western  Michigan 
Planned  Parenthood  of  Lincoln 
Planned  Parenthood  of  Memphis 
Planned  Parenthood  of  Monmouth  County 
Planned  Parenthood  of  New  York  City 

Planned  Parenthood  of  Niagara  County 

Planned  Parenthood  of  Northern  New  England 

Planned  Parenthood  of  Northern  New  York 

Planned  Parenthood  of  Rochester  and  Genesee  Valley,  Inc. 

Planned  Parenthood  of  San  Mateo  County;  CA 

Planned  Parenthood  of  Southern  Tier.  Inc. 

Planned  Parenthood  of  Suffolk  County 

Planned  Parenthood  of  Summit  Portage  and  Medina  Counties 

Planned  Parenthood  of  Tompkins  County 

Planned  Parenthood  of  West  Michigan 

Planned  Parenthood  of  Wisconsin 

Pro-Choice  Coalition  of  West  Tennessee 

PROTOTYPES 

Public  Health 
PWA  (People  with  AIDS)  of  Jacksonville.  FL 
Retired  Senior  Volunteer  Program 
Sage  United  Methodist  Church  of  Monterey  Park,  CA 
Shelby  County  Adolescent  Pregnancy  Prevention  Council  of  Tennessee 
Southwestern  Jefferson  County  Consolidated  School  Corporation  of  Indiana 
State  of  Alabama  Department  of  Health 
State  of  Tennessee  Department  of  Education 
State  of  Tennessee  Department  of  Health 
Surry  County  Department  of  Health 
Texas  Family  Planning  Association 
United  Brotherhood  of  Carpenters  and  Joiners  of  America 
United  Methodist  Church  of  Harrisburg 
United  Methodist  Church  of  Little  Rock 
United  Methodist  Church  of  Pine  Bluff 
Upper  Hudson  Planned  Parenthood 
Utah  Public  Health  Association 

Violet-Cherry-Englewood  Health  Department,  New  Jersey 
Waianae  Coast  Comprehensive  Health  Center 
Washington  State  Department  of  Health 
Washington  Urban  League 
Women's  Bar  Association  of  Washington,  D.C. 
Women's  International  League  for  Peace  and  Freedom 

PERSONAL    ENDORSEMENTS 

Jo  Ann  Spees 
Lilla  Natson 

Patricia  A.  Nolan  Executive  Director  of  Colorado  Department  of  Health 

Enid  Hickman 

Anne  Hess 

Diane  Murray 

Sukey  Wagner  Iris  House 

Suki  Terada  Ports 

Sheila  G.  Holden 

MaJinda  Miles 


113 


Peter  D.  Relyea 

Deborah  C.  Francis 

Linda  Haynie  Green 

Audrey  Opulski 

Mary  Ellen  Yamashita 

Dorothy  Johnson 

Lome  Luahnat  Bellair 

Tonya  Hall 

Catherine  Saalfield 

Beverly  Ratter 

Petra  Allende 

Linda  Gang 

Bambi  T.  Magie 

Mary  K.  Richards  and  colleagues 

Peggy  L  Kopf 

Myrta  Cuadro 

Liat  E.  Applenhite 

Deruce  Williams  Johnson 

Wei  Lam 

Dave  Cutler 

Yvette  Green 

Debbie  Dotson 

Mary  N.D.  Matanane 

Agnes  Molnar 

Cynthia  A.  McKinney 

Electra  Kimble  Price 

Valyrie  K.  Laedlein 

Jeannette  Bobst 

Terry  M.  Stone 

Ann  Jueschke 

Rev.  Richard  A.Schlosser 

Diana  Slutzman 

Cartton  Newsome 

Ann  Whitehead 

Gwen  E.  Bowman 

Diane  Kujawa 

Hilary  House 

Leslie  J.  Bille 

Carol  A.  Perhach 

Joan  Fields 

James  FL  Miller 

LaShime  McBride 

Debra  Cooper 

Anthony  Houston 

Grace  E.  Groves 

O'Neill  Blacker-Hanson 

Martha  Parry 

Susan  Edwards 

Bonnie  L  SoBoway 

Dr.  and  Mrs.  Charles  P.  Hadley 

Henry  A.  Waxman 

Irwin  Redener 

Roosevelt  Brown 

Isadore  Seeman 

Karen  Heck 

Hannah  Sktofsky 

Lois  Moore 

Sandi  von  Scoyoc 

Margaret  V.  Todd 

John  H.  Stoner 

Nicole  Simpson 

Douglas  S.  Lloyd 

J.  Smith 

Ingrid  Scott  Weekley 


Pima  County  Health  Department 


Sullivan  County  Regional  Health  Department 
Maternal  Child  Health  Program  of  Guam 

United  States  Representative 


Lane  County  Public  Health  Services  Manager 


Josephine  County,  Oregon  Health  Department 
Sullivan  County  Regional  Health  Department 


Detroit  Department  of  Hearth 
Onondaga  County  Health  Department 


WTLV-12 

U.S.  Representative 

Kennebec  Valley  Community  Action  Program 


Delta  Sigma  Theta 
Charlotte-Mecklenburg  Schools 


114 


Jane  Kravotil 
Mary  E.  Henry 
F.  Herbert  Skeete 
Mariilyn  W.  Derig 
Julia  Minoia 
Barbara  Floyd 
Rims  Barber 
Patricia  0.  Mail 
Willie  E.  Francis 
David  L  White 
Dianne  E.  Christensen 
Michael  H.  Rhodes 
Maureen  Homenick 
John  F.Higdon 
Paul  and  Janet  Haynes 
Gail  G.  Church 
Carolyn  H.  Stewart 
Patricia  Barber 
James  H.  Uttred 
Michael  Burkhart 
Ronald  Levine 
Michael  Skeels 
Peter  Somani 
Ed  Thompson 
Coleen  Kivlahan 
Christopher  Atchison 
Dr.  and  Mrs.  Glenn  White 
Margaret  Dionne 
S.  P.  Meyn 
Marie  C.  Meglen 

Laveme  Ah/es  Snow 

Jeanece  Seals:  Margaret  Major 

Johana  Wiese 

Sadako  S.  Holmes 

John  Lumpkin 

Sidney  Alexander 

Jack  Dillenberg 

Mimi  Fields 

James  Lieberman 

Faye  Wilson 

T.W.  Lewis.  Ill 

Patricia  Nolan 

Agnes  Dolores  Lattimer 

Elizabeth  Karlin 

Laura  M.  Keefe 

Rice  Leach 

Larry  Hebert 

Lani  Graham 

Nelson  Sabatini 

David  Mullligan 

Gregg  Wright 

Allan  Noonan 

RodBetit 

Jan  Carney 

Robert  Stroube 

Jane  Sabes 

Cindy  Howard 

Sheila  J.  Webb 

Rosemary  M.  Jones 

Ray  Baker 

Armando  I.  Smith 

Harvey  V.  Fineberg 

Millicent  Y.  Cox 


United  Methodist  Church  of  Boston 

Jacobus  Center  for  Reproductive  Hearth 
Curry  County  Health  Department 
Mississippi  Human  Services  Agenda 


Brunswick  County  Health  Department 
The  Momentum  Project 


National  Political  Congress  of  Black  Women 

Philadelphia  AIDS  Consortium 
New  Mexico  State  Health  Official 
North  Carolina  State  Hearth  Official 
Oregon  State  Health  Official 
Ohio  State  Health  Official 
Mississippi  State  Health  Official 
Missouri  State  Health  Official 
Iowa  State  Health  Official 


South  Carolina  Department  of  Health  and 

Environmental  Control 

Utah  Public  Health  Association 

State  of  Tennessee  Department  of  Health 


Illinois  State  Health  Official 

Lahey  Clinic  of  Burlington,  MA 

Arizona  State  Health  Official 

Washington  State  Health  Official 

Director  of  Hearth;  Greenwich.  CT 

General  Board  of  Global  Ministries 

Miltsaps  College 

Colorado  State  Health  Official 

Medical  Director  of  Cook  County  Hospital 

Women's  Medkal  Center  of  Madison 

Kentucky  State  Health  Official 
Louisiana  State  Health  Official 
Maine  State  Health  Official 
Maryland  State  Health  Official 
Massachusetts  State  Health  Official 
Nebraska  Passt  State  Health  Official 
Pennsylvania  State  Health  Official 
Utah  State  Hearth  Official 
Vermonst  State  Health  Official 
Virginia  State  Health  Official 
Wyoming  State  Health  Official 

Department  of  Health  of  New  Orleans 
Tioga  Opportunities  Program.  Inc. 
Kansas  State  Health  Official 

Harvard  School  of  Public  Healtlh 
United  Methodist  Church 


115 


Erima  J.  Vaughan\ 
Consuelo  Saragoza 
Charles  F.  Fiagg 
Stella  Reinstein 
Ann  C.  Hobson 
Christine  A.  Forester 
Mary  Ann  Oakley 
Louisa  Woodward 
Cindy  Goldstein 
Jane  H.  Lee 
Mary  Parker 
Johanna  Dwyer 
Peter  D.  Wilson 
Robert  C.  Harder 
Joan  K.  Leavitt.  M.D. 
Jean  G.  Brown 
Sima  D.  Michaels 
Linda  Polk 

Robert  W.  Johnson.  Jr. 
Tom  Dressier 
Anna  Dillman 
Susan  S.  Addtss 

Paul  W.  Nannis 
Barbara  D.  Martin 
Lynn  Cooper  Breckenmaker 
David  R.  Smith 
Elena  Rios 
Beth  E.  Dozoretz 
Alan  Blum 
Robert  C.  Harder 
Harold  Wimmer 
Marion  A.  Humphrey 
Penni  Eldredge-Martin 
Wella  Washington 
John  Lewin 
Ron  J.  Anderson 
Robert  Cunningham 
Jeanne  Kiefner 
Margaret  and  Peter  Strumpf 
Kimberty  D.  Jones 
Tom  Brown 
Joan  Campbell 
Barbara  Debuono 
Larry  Herbert 
Dr.  C  Everett  Koop 
Paul  Nannis 
Samuel  Rogers 
Alex  Vinson 
Bernard  Barth 
Tonie  Fleming 
Samuel  H.  Thomas.lll 
Nicheile  Schoultz 
Damon  Green 
Sharon  McGIII 
Kim  Williams 
Frances  Grace  Block 
Mark  and  Claudia  Washburn 
Sheila  MaJoney 
Arthur  and  Anne  Johnson 
Hermann  Mendez 
Virginia  Benker-Beck 
Christina  Lightbourne 
Martha  C. 


New  England  Medical  Center 

National  Association  of  Children's  Hospitals 

Department  of  Health  and  Environment  of 

Former  Health  Official  of  Oklahoma;  Past 

Family  Guidance  Center  (Missouri) 

Los  Angeles  Regional  Family  Planning  Council 


Commissioner  of  Connecticut  Department  of 
Public  Health  and  Addiction  Services 
Commissioner  of  Health  of  Milwaukee 

Family  Health  Council  of  Central  Pennsylvania 

Texas  Department  of  Health 

The  Chicano/Latino  Medical  Association  of 

First  Hospital  Corporation  (Virginia) 

Baylor  College  of  Medicine/Doctors  Ought  To 

Kansas  Department  of  Health  and  Environment 

American  Lung  Association  of  Illinois 

Circuit  Judge  of  Little  Rock 

Alpha  Kappa  Alpha 

Hawaii  State  Health  Official 

Parkland  Memorial  Hospital;  Texas  Board  of  Health 


NASN  Director  of  New  Jersey 


State  Health  Official  of  South  Carolina 
General  Secretary,  National  Council  of  Churches 
State  Health  Official  of  Rhode  Island 
State  Health  Official  of  Louisiana 

Milwaukee  Department  of  Public  Health 
Community  Health  Center.  Kansas  City  .  MO 


Children's  Medical  Center  of  Brooklyn 
Erie  Medical  Center 


116 


Tracee  N.  Murphey 

Dr.  E.B.  Johnson,  Jr. 

Julie  L  Webster 

Pat  Donze  Shae 

Jonathon  Makepeace 

Pamela  T.  Wright 

BethTeubert 

Ian  Thompson 

Lynne  Mohe 

Dorothy  Morris 

Kara  C.  Mariaca 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Robert  W.  Schafer 

Mildred  S.  Morse 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Simon  L  Cohen 

Deanna  Durica 

Mark  B.  Horton 

Donald  Kwafick 

Bruce  Siegel 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Foster  Brandt 

Robert  W.  Dunn 

Vivian  O.  Lee 

Lee  R.  Heck 

Lawton  Chiles 

James  D.  Thomas 

LessieF.  Laris 

Summiya  Wimbish 

Elica  Ware 

Sandra  Soute 

Carolyn  Barge 

Ah/irita  W.  Little 

Christeen  Johnson 

Margaret  C.  Ledbetter 

Jim  Ledbetter 

Donna  M.  Green 

Sheila  Newbery 

Silvio  Levy 

Janice  Wfils 

Cynthia  Barnes 

Claudia  L  Webster 

Sara  E  Ort 

RrtaGuiton 

Barbara  S.  Cambridge 

Kevin  E.  Vaughan 

Ramon  Martin  Garcia 

Health  Council 

Chris  R.  Harvey 

Barbara  Taylor 

Jacqueline  Joy  Guines 

Carol  Elliott 

Denysse  C.  Brown 

Hannah  T.  Lusk 

David  Ehrenstein 

Leanne  G.  Porterfield 


Morse  Enterprises,  Inc. 

Yukon-Kuskokwim  Health  Corporation 
Director  of  Department  of  Health  of  Nebraska 
Nevada  Stale  Health  Official 
New  Jersey  State  Health  Official 


Director  of  Revenue  Development  of  Dallas 
Governor  of  Florida 


Georgia  Director  of  the  Department  of  Health 
National  Medical  Association.  Region  1 


City  of  Philadelphia  on  Commision  on  Human 
Northeastern  Sonora-Cochise  County  Bi-National 


Lancaster  AIDS  Project 


117 


Frances  Evans 
Janice  Risser 
Catherine  H.  Goulet 
Ernest  J.  Moch 
Likithia  Sanford 
Beth    and  Joseph  Simon 
Jack  Hataway 
John  FL  Bagby 
Verena  Wheeler 
Anne  Honford  Olson 
Kay  F.  Lanier 
Samuel  B.  Teague 
JerakJL  Scott 

EUen  Kirby 
Barbara  Tausey 
Cynthia  B.  Camese 
Barbara  Thompson 
Stephanie  Anna  Hixon 
Cecelia  M.  Long 
Myra  J.  Christopher 
Yvonne  Stone  Hurton 
Diane  Brown 
Thomas  Thompson 
Cindy  Willson 
Thomas  D.  Peace 
of  Health 

Donald  Williamson 
Dolly  W.  Adams 
Stanley  K.  Tupper 
Steve  Palumbo 
Susan  M.  Horbaday 
Charles  S.  Mahan 
Annette  Long 
Kerry  Kirschner 
Bradford  Wyche 
Sarah  Ochs 
Heather  L  Hoesel 
Carol  Ann  Mallory 
Marilyn  S.  Adams 

Sharon  L  McAllister 
Ann  Hafer 
D.  FL  Bethune 
Eugene  J.  Jordan 
Paul  W.  Nannis 
Robert  Miller 
MatfJe  FL  Crossley 


Lakeside  United  Methodist  Church 

National  Director  of  the  Special  Program  on 

The  United  Methodist  Church 

Alpha  Kappa  Allpha  Sorority.  Inc. 
General  Commission  on  Religion  and  Race. 
The  General  Commission  on  the  Status  and 
Role  of  Women;  the  United  Methodist  Church 
Mkjwest  Bioethics  Center 


Commissioner  of  the  Oklahoma  State     Department 


Alabama  State  Health  Official 
Black  Women's  Agenda.  Inc. 
Former  U.S.  Representative 


State  Health  Officer  of  Florida 

Director  of  Development;  Mote  Marine  Laboratory 


Katz-Mallory.  P.C. 

President.  Board  of  Directors  Planned 

Parenthood  of  Memphis 


American  Cyanamid  Company 
President  of  National  Dental  Association 
Health  Commissioner  of  City  of  Milwaukee 
Member.  Arkansas  State  Board  of  Health 


118 


Sharon  D.  Tucker 

F.  Anthony  Bell 

Joe  L  Hargrove 
Gerakfine  K.  Rayford 
Phillnp  L  Rayford 
Ann  Dixon 
Carole  K.  Bebelle 
Betty  Anderson 
Lynda  K.  Anderson 
A.  Henry  Thomas 
Richard  B.  Wilke 
Kathryn  S.  Taylor 
Bill  Wilson 
Maroa  Gfario 
Gertrude  McWilliams 
Becky  and  Ken  Stenton 
Mila  Castro  Morelos 
Metvin  G.  Talbert 
Mrs.  Elin  Greenberg 
Georges  C.  Benjamin 


Municipality  of  Anchorage  Department  of  Health  and 

Human  Services 

Municipality  of  Anchorage  Department  of  Health  and 

Human  Services 

Cardiology  and  Medicine  Clinic.  P.A. 

University  of  Arkansas  for  Medical  Services 


National  Association  for  Sickle  Cell  Disease,  Inc. 
Bishop  of  United  Methodist  Church 


United  Methodist  Church  of  Methodist 
Susan  G.  Komen  Breast  Cancer  Foundation 


119 
American  College  of  Physicians      \  ' " '  ♦-•«« 


July  12,  1993 


The  Honorable  Edward  M.  Kennedy 
U.S.  Senate 
Washington,  DC  20510 


Dear  Senator  Kennedy: 


The  American  JSbUegc  Of  Physicians,  representing  more  than  80,000  physicians 
practicing  internal  medicine  and  'its  subspecialties,  strongly  supports  the  confirmation  of 
M.  Joycelvfi  Elders,  lAD^af'u.S.  Surgeon  General. 


Dr.  EMfcrs  b>><yro-certified  pediatric  endocrinologist,  holds  a  Master  of  Science 
degree  in^^henustry,  and  is  author  of  more  than  150  scientific  articles  for  medical 
publications.  Prior  to  becoming  Arkansas  Director  of  Public  Health  in  1 987,  she  served 
as  President  of  the  Association  of  State  and  Territorial  Health  Officers,  and  has  served 
on  numerous  distinguished  panels,  such  as  the  National  Advisory  Committee  on  Rural 
Health.  She  is  the  recipient  of  more  than  a  dozen  awards  for  her  achievements, 
including  the  AMA  National  Congress  on  Adolescent  Health  Award,  the  National 
Eduction  Association's  Award  for  Creative  T  radcrship  in  Women's  Rights,  and  the 
National  Governor's  Association  Distinguished  Service  Award. 

As  Director  of  the  Arkansas  Department  of  Health  since  1987,  Dr.  Elders  tackled 
difficult  public  health  challenges  and  amassed  a  record  of  achievement  through  innovative 
approaches  to  difficult  problems.  She  initiated  a  plan  to  expand  home  health  care  in 
Arkansas  allowing  senior  citizens  or  medically  fragile  patients  to  remain  in  their 
communities.  In  1990,  Dr.  Elders  instituted  a  new  bom  sickle  cell  screening  program 
that  now  covers  40,000  infants.  Under  Dr.  Elders'  leadership,  the  number  of  children 
screened  in  the  EPSDT  program  went  from  just  over  4,000  in  1988  to  over  45,000  in 
1992. 

One  of  Dr.  Elders'  most  notable  and  widely  praised  achievements  was  the  establishment 
of  innovative  school-based  clinics  in  Arkansas,  raising  the  number  from  one  to  twenty-six 
during  her  tenure.  Linking  public  schools  with  the  Arkansas  health  department. 
Dr.  Elders  was  able  to  successfully  bring  to  those  who  most  needed  them  services  that 
increased  childhood  immunization  and  early  childhood  screening  and  reduced  teen 
pregnancy,  substance  abuse,  sexual  abuse,  and  sexually  transmitted  diseases. 

As  Surgeon  General.  Dr.  Elders  will  bring  new  focus  to  health  care  toward  health 
promorioo  and  disease  prevention.  New  initiatives  are  essential  to  control  infectious 
diseases  such  as  tuberculosis  and  measles.  Health  promotion  is  also  a  priority  of  Dr. 
Elders,  including  nutritional  information,  counseling  on  tobacco  and  alcohol  use,  and 
education  about  avoiding  injury  and  violence.  She  is  dedicated  to  making  primary  care 
available  and  accessible  to  all  Americans. 

The  role  of  Surgeon  General  requires  a  forceful  and  resourceful  advocate  for  health  care. 
The  College  believes  that  Dr.  Elders'  record  supports  nomination  to  this  key  position. 
We  encourage  you  to  strongly  support  her  confirmation. 

Sincerely, 


Paul  F.  Griner.  MD.  FACP 
President 


120 

ARKANSAS  PTI-1 


SMUOmctlBOOH.P<xUr/N.  LMc  Rock.  AR  72114  /<S0i>  TSVS247  Sum  Pr«.l*«  Don  Jormson 

4312  Ajetmoo.  SprtnffM*.  A«  727S4 
Ptton*  (SOI*  h)  7si-oeei 

b)750-ea5c 
July     1993 

Th«  Bonorable  Bill  Clinton 
President  of  the  United  States 
1600  Pennsylvania  Avenue 
BasMngtoo  DC,      20500 

Dear  President  Clinton, 

la  keeping  with  PTA 'a  non-partisan  poller,  Arkansas  PTA  strongly  supports  Br.  Joycelyn 
Elder*  efforts  on  behalf  of  the  health  and  welfare  of  all  children. 

Daring  Dr.   Elders   tenure   «•  Arkansas  State  Health  Director,   she  was  instrumental  la  the 
passage  of  many  legislative  Issues  supported  by  the  Rational  FTA  each  as  the  School 
-Based  Health  Clinics,     these  clinics  provide  services  to  assy  children  who,  otherwise, 
would  be  denied  services  such  aa  family  planning,  periodic  early  health  screening,   dia- 
gnosis,  end  treatment. 

In  1991,   Dr.   Elders  vorked' tirelessly,  not  only  during  her  business  boors  bur.  during  ber 
personal  elate  as  yell,   along  with  the  aany  hoars  of  her  staff.    In  the  testing  for  and 
edacatlng  the  public  about  the  current  dangers  of  lead  poisoning  In  preschool  and  school 
aged  children.     The  immunization  of  children  continues    to  be  en  on  going  personal  battle 
of  hers,  which  is  another  issue"  that  is  dose  to  the  heart  of   FTA. 

Daring  the  1992  Legislative  Session  of  the  Arkansas  Central  Assembly,  Dr.   Elders,  along 
with  the  Arkansas  rzk,    formed  a  coalition  to  increase  the  sales)   tex  on  clgerettes  with 
the- majority  of  the  funds   to  be  designated  for  children's  health  services. 

Dr.  Elders  is  a  tireless  advocate  for  all  health  issues,   especially  those  relating   to 
children.     One  of  ber  famous  quotes  is,   "All  children  are  at  risk  of  becoming  members  of 
the  S-fi  Clnb.    that  Is  homeless,   hopeless,  hungry,  helpless,   and  hogless."     It  Is  up   to  us 
to  pat  in  place  those  measures   that  will  void  that  ateafeershlp  forever. 

Because  of  Dr.   Elders  devotion  and  i  nailiai  in    to  children,   Arkansas  PTA  bestowed  upon  her 
the  highest  honor  MA  can  award,   an  Honorary  Life  Membership  in  Arkansas  PTA.     Joycelyn 
Elders  truly  cares  for  children.     It  is  not  out  of  the  ordinary  for  her  to  drive  for  hours 
to  visit  with  a  teenage  mother  concerning  the  health  of  the  mother  and/or  her  child. 

He  have  been  privileged  to  have  had  the  opportunity  to  have  worked  with  Dr.  Elders  and  we 
continue  to  applaud  her  efforts.     We,  sincerely,  hope  that  Dr.   Joycelyn  Elders  receives 
the  necessary  support   to  become  Surgeon  General  of   the  united   States. 

Sincerely. 


Don  Johnson,  President 

Arkansas  PTA 


Office  of  Cevernmental  gelations 
National  PTA 


ARKANSAS  COWGRESS  OF  BARENTS  AND  TEACHERS 


CMA 


121 


CHILD  WELFARE  LEAGUE  OF  AMERICA,  INC. 

440  F.rs<  Sue*.  NW.  Su.ie  310.  Washington.  DC  2O00I-2O8S  •  202/638-29S2  -  FAX  202«S38-W04 


—aw  — 


1.1,8.19*3      JuOa^JY    i 


IT- 


The  Honorable  Edward  Kennedy,  Chairman  . 

COBmuBBC  on  Labor  and  Human  Resources  /.      /      / 

U.S.  Senate  ( / :  J^l  j 

Washington  DC  20510 

„  *^ 
Dear  Mr.  Chainnaa: 


S-;     ** 


fAX  it X7W*-50rs 


Please  accept  my  enthusiastic  recommeodatioo  of  Dr.  M.  Joycelyn  Elders  for 
the  position  of  Surgeon  General  of  the  United  States.  From  my  perspective.  Dr. 
Elders  is  the  ideal  candidate  for  this  position 

Throughout  her  long  and  distinguished  career  as  a  physician,  public  servant, 
and  children's  advocate.  Dr.  Elders  has  demonstrated  an  unwavering  commitment 
to  the  welfare  of  children,  youth,  and  families.  Her  work  as  Professor  in  Pediatrics 
at  the  University  of  Arkansas  Medical  Center  tmti''af'*"c  both  a  profound  concern  for, 
and  extensive  knowledge  of.  the  health  needs  of  the  nation's  children. 

She  also  brings  outstanding  public  leadership  credentials  to  this  position.  As 
director  of  the  Arkansas  State  Health  Department  since  1987,  she  has  helped  to  raise 
the  inununization  rates  of  pre-school  children  in  the  state.  Her  programs  have  also 
led  to  a  reduction  in  infant  mortality  and  the  rate  of  increase  in  teenage  pregnancy. 
Dr.  Elders'  service  on  several  national  health  commissions,  including  the  Secretary's 
Advisory  Committee  for  Infant  Mortality,  means  that  she  will  bring  a  broad  national 
perspective  to  the  Surgeon  General's  post. 

In  addition,  her  impressive  record  of  civic  service,  which  includes  terms  as 
a  board  member  of  the  Elizabeth  Mitchell  Children's  Home  and  Youth  Homes  Inc. 
demonstrates  her  knowledge  of  the  needs  of  vulnerable  and  at-risk  children  and 
families. 

Dr.  Elders  will  make  a  superb  advocate  for  the  health  of  our  nation's  children 
and  for  enduring  changes  to  improve  the  health  of  all  Americans.  I  heartily  endorse 
her  noniination. 

Sincerely, 

David  S.  Liedennan 

Executive  Director 

cc:  Members  of  the  Senate  Committee  on  Labor  and  Human  Resources 


122 


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TO:  Interested  Persons  .  DATE:    July  7,  1993 

FROM:  Wade  Henderson,  Director  /\/f\ 

RE;  Nomination  of  Dr.  Joycelyn  Elders  for  Surgeon  General 


ACTION  NEKOED: 

Can,  write,  and  send  telegrams  to  your  Senators  and  nrge  them  to  support  the 
nomination  of  Dr.  Joycelya  Elders  for  VS.  Surgeon  General.  Contact  these 
members  of  the  Committee  on  Labor  and  Human  Resources:  Edward  M.  Kennedy- 
MA  (Chairman),  Claiborne  Pell-Rl,  Howard  Metzeubaum-OH,  Christopher  J.  Dodd- 
CT,  Pad  Simon-IL,  Tom  Harkin-IA,  Barbara  A.  Mikukki-MD.  JcfF  Bingaman-NM, 
Paul  David  Wellstone-MN,  Harris  Woff ord-PA.  Nancy  Landon  Kassebau  m-KS.  James 
M.  Jeffords-VT,  Dan  Coats-IN,  Jndd  Gregg-NH,  Strom  Tburman-SC.  Orrin  G. 
Hatch-UT,  Dave  Durenberger-MN.  You  may  reach  your  Senators  by  calling  the 
Capitol  Switchboard  at  (202)  224-3121. 

WH£N.J!JEEI>KD: 

Immediately.  NAACP  members  are  urged  to  call  their  Senators  and  request  their 
support  for  Dr.  Joycelyn  Elders'  nomination.  It  is  Imperative  that  (he  NAACPs 
vigorons  support  for  Dr.  Elders  be  heard. 


Dr.  Joycelyn  Elders  is  the  Orst  African  American  woman  to  be  nominated  for  the 
position  of  VS.  Surgeon  General.  Presently,  Dr.  Elders  is  the  director  of  the  Arkansas 
Health  Department.  In  December  of  1992,  President  Clinton  selected  Dr.  Elders  as  his 
choice  for  IJ.S.  Surgeon  General;  however.  Dr.  Antonia  Novello,  outgoing  Surgeon  General, 
requested  to  remain  in  position  until  June  30,  1993.  Several  conservative  groups  and 
Christian  fundamentalists  have  attacked  Dr.  Elders  because  of  her  progressive  views  on 
health  care  for  all  Americans.  Leading  the  attack  is  the  Concerned  Women  of  America, 
who  call  Dr.  Elders  *a  very,  very  dangerous  woman,*  and  vow  to  defeat  bcr  nomination. 


123 

Dr.  Elders  graduated  from  Philander  Smith  College  in  Little  Rock.  She  then  served  as 
physical  therapist  in  the  Army  before  earning  her  medical  degree,  and  a  Masters  Degree  in 
biochemistry,  from  the  University  of  Arkansas  School  of  Medicine.  Dr.  Elders  then  trained 
in  pediatrics  at  the  University  of  Minnesota  hospitals  and  became  chief  pediatric  resident 
at  the  University  Hospital  in  1961.  For  the  next  20  years,  Dr.  Elders  combined  research  in 
pediatric  endocrinology  with  a  university  clinical  practice  that  specialized  in  the  treatment 
of  juvenile  diabetes. 

Dr.  Elders  believes  that  discussions  of  "public  health"  must  Include  everything  from  the 
impact  of  poverty,  the  plague  of  violence,  medical  assistance  to  the  elderly,  nutrition, 
preventive  medicine  and  treatment  of  disease.  In  her  capacity  as  director  of  public  health 
in  Arkansas,  Dr.  Elders  has  already  battled  right-wing  forces  who  opposed  her  efforts  to 
combat  AIDS,  child  sex  abuse,  and  adolescent  pregnancy  through  public  education.  These 
groups  became  particularly  angry  over  her  attempts  to  reduce  teen  pregnancy  and  combat 
AIDS  through  school-based  dinics  and  education  in  public  schools.  Though  personally 
opposed  to  abortion,  Dr.  Elders  is  pro-choice. 

Dr.  Elders*  life  and  career  have  enabled  her  to  appreciate  the  harsh  realities  of  health 
problems  in  the  African  American  community,  and  have  led  her  to  tackle  hard  issues  with 
vigor.  The  African  American  community  cannot  afford  to  lose  the  important  opportunity 
to  have  Dr.  Joycclyn  Elders  as  our  nation's  Surgeon  General.  We  need  to  have  a  Surgeon 
General  who  is  not  afraid  to  speak  candidly  about  the  difficult  health  care  problems  facing 
the  nation. 

The  NAACP  must  urge  Senators  to  confirm  Dr.  Elders  as  U.S.  Surgeon  General. 
Senator  Edward  (Ted)  Kennedy.  Chairman  of  the  Committee  on  Labor  and  Human 
Resources,  has  voiced  his  support  for  Dr.  Elders  and  wQl  prove  helpful  in  guiding  her 
nomination  through  the  confirmation  hearings.  Dr.  Elders'  confirmation  bearing  has  been 
set  for  Friday,  July  16,  1993. 

The  NAACP  must  show  a  strong,  independent  voice  in  support  of  Dr.  Elders.  The 
African  American  community,  and  this  country  as  a  whole,  needs  both  her  medical 
experience  and  willingness  to  confront  some  of  the  most  distressing  health  problems  of  our 
times. 


124 


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kiuani  Gowiameni  Allan  Ut(«c 
BO'  I  Siren.  NW.  Soar  ?60 
Wtehngton.  0C7OU6 

few.  w  m  no 

f»  TIE  796  ?9W 


July  14,  1993 


The  Honorable  Edward  M  Kennedy 

Chairman 

Labor  and  Human  Resources  Committee 

U.S.  Senate 

Washington,  D.C  20510 

Dear  Mr.  Chairman: 

The  March  of  Dimes  Birth  Defects  Foundation  greatly  appreciates  your 
enthusiastic  endorsement  of  Joycetyn  Elders,  MD.  for  U.S.  Surgeon  General   As  a 
pediatrician  and  a  leader  in  public  health,  Dr.  Elders  has  been  a  strong  advocate  for 
improving  the  health  of  mothers  and  babies.  Your  leadership  will  be  key  in  securing  her 
confirmation. 

In  her  capacity  as  the  director  of  the  Arkansas  State  Health  Department,  Dr. 
Elders  has  supported  and  worked  jointly  with  the  March  of  Dimes  in  our  Campaign  for 
Healthy  Babies.  She  has  also  helped  raise  the  immunization  rates  of  pre-school  children 
in  the  state  and  has  been  instrumental  in  attracting  more  health  professionals  to  serve 
pregnant  women  and  children  in  the  underserved  rural  areas.  Furthermore,  she  has 
forged  important  linkages  between  the  education  and  health  communities  to  encourage 
comprehensive  school  health  education  and  to  promote  the  healthy  development  of  our 
nation's  youth. 

The  March  of  Dimes  believes  that  the  confirmation  of  Dr.  Elders  as  U.S.  Surgeon 
General  will  help  ensure  that  preventive  and  primary  health  for  mothers  and  babies  is  a 
priority  of  this  nation  Again,  I  thank  you  for  your  efforts  in  support  of  her  confirmation- 


125 


JL 


THE  ASSOCIATION  OF  JUNIOR  LEAGUES  INTERNATIONAL  INC. 


July  8.  1993 


President  William  Jefferson  Clinton 
The  White  House 
Washington,  DC  20500 

Dear  President  Clinton, 

On  behalf  of  the  Associarioo  of  Junior  Leagues  International  (AJLI)  it  is  with  great  pleasure  we 
add  our  support  for  the  nomination  of  Dr.  Joceryn  Boers  to  die  position  of  U.S.  Surgeon 
General.  Through  her  work  as  the  Director  of  the  Arkansas  Department  of  Health,  we  have 
experienced  first  band  Dr.  Elder's  vision,  compassion,  commitment  and  the  difference  she  has 
made  in  the  lives  of  children  throughout  Arkansas. 

The  Assocjatioa  of  Junior  Leagues  International  is  an  organization  of  women  committed  to 
promoting  voluntarism  and  to  improving  the  community  through  the  effective  action  and 
leadership  of  trained  volunteers.  Representing  190.000  women  in  283  Junior  Leagues.  AJLI  has 
over  ninety  years  of  experience  in  working  to  ensure  the  adequate  health  of  all  children,  youth, 
and  pregnant  women.  In  1991.  the  Association's  Board  of  Director's  adopted  Child  Health  as 
a  priority,  with  the  following  goal:  All  children,  youth,  and  pregnant  women  should  be 
guaranteed  availability  and  access  to  appropriate  preventive  primary  health  care.  The  work  of 
Dr.  Elders  dearly  and  effectively  supports  the  Association's  position  on  Child  Health  and  will 
bring  leadership  and  attendee  to  an  issue  critical  to  the  health  of  our  country.  The  children  of 
the  United  States  will  be  in  good  hands  with  Dr.  Elders.   She  will  serve  us  well. 

Sincerely, 


Mary  Burrus  Babson  Starve  McBryde 

President  President 

Association  of  Junior  Junior  League  of 

Leagues  International  Little  Rock 


Ervada  Ward  Janie  Coins 

President  President 

Junior  League  of  Junior  League  of 

North  Little  Rock  Fort  Smith 

660  FIRST  AVENUE  HEW  YORK.  NY  10016-3241     212-683-1515     FAX212/181-719G 


126 


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NATIONAL  EDUCATION  ASSOCIATION 


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EXECUTIVE  OFFICE 


July  12.  1993 

The  Honorable  Edward  M.  Kennedy 

Chairman 

Labor  and  Human  Resources  Committee 

U.S.  Senate 
Washington,  D.C.  20510 


Dear  Mr.  Chairman: 

The  National  Education  Association  supports  the  quick  confirmation  of  Jo/celyn  HdejsM^r. as 
U  S  Surgeon  General.   Dr.  Hders  has  extensive  experience  and  knowlea^jnJjeJieia of  public 
health  and  is  dedicated  to  tackling  tough  issues.  While  Director  of  the  Arkansas  State  Health 
Department  Dr  Elders  was  instrumental  in  raising  me  immunization  rates  of  preschool  children, 
reducing  the*  teenage  pregnancy  rate,  and  belping  to  lower  the  states  infant  mortality  rate. 

Throughout  ber  career  she  has  demonstrated  an  unwavering  commitment  to  improve  public  health 
and  has  dedicated  herself  to  educating  the  public  on  important  health  issues.  As  a  professor  of 
pediatrics  at  me  University  of  Arkansas  Medical  School  and  a  researcher  into  the  causes  and 
treatment  of  hormone-related  illness,  she  published  more  than  150  articles  for  medical  research 
publications    She  is  a  board  certified  r*diatric-endocrinologist.  served  as  a  first  Lieutenant  in  the 
U.S.  Army,  and  has  received  the  American  Medical  Associations  National  Congress  on  Adolescent 
Health  Award  for  outstanding  efforts  on  behalf  of  American  Youth. 

America  needs  strong  leadership  to  help  conquer  tte  ATOS  epkwnk.  curb  ato^  aal  drug  abuse, 
and  fight  the  spread  of  diseases.  Dr.  Elders  is  clearly  the  person  to  provide  that  leadership.  lam 
confident  that  as  she  works  to  educate  Americans  on  key  health  issues,  she  wffl  also  msprre  a  new 
generation  of  health  care  professionals  to  serve  with  the  same  compassion  and  dedication  that  she  has 
displayed  throughout  her  career.  We  urge  you  to  vote  for  her  confirmation  as  soon  as  possible. 

Sincerely. 


ts&h 


Keith  Geiger 
President 


127 


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Honorable  Edward  M.  Kennedy 
United  States  Senate 
Washington,  D.C.  205102101 

Dear  Senator  Kennedy: 

The  YWCA  of  the  US  A.  •ntnusias&caffy  supports  President  Canton1*  nonkufon 
of  Dr.  Joycetyn  Bders  to  the  postton  of  U.S.  Surgeon  GenersL  She  is  a  highly 
skffled  pediatrician,  public  health  professional,  and  outstanding  advocate  for 
children.  She  understands  the  need  for  preventative  services  in  regard  to 
adolescent  pregnancy  and  screenings  for  cervical  and  breast  cancer,  HIV,  and 
children,  ad  priorities  In  the  pubic  policy  recommendations  of  our  constituents. 

As  a  professor  of  pediatrics  and  researcher  at  the  University  of  Arkansas  Medical 
School.  Or.  Elders  authored  more  than  150  scholastic  articles  for  medical 
pubfcation&.  Her  oTsSnctJoos  include  the  .American  Mecfical  Association  Awards 
for  Outstanding  Efforts  on  Behalf  of  American  Youth  and  for  Outstanding  Pubfic 
Heaflh  Professional,  the  National  Education  Association's  Mary  Futre*  Award  for 
Creative  Leadership  In  Woman's  Rights,  the  National  Governor's  Association 
Distinguished  Service  Award,  and  the  National  Coalition  of  100  Slack  Women's 
Candace  Award  for  Health  Science. 

Confkmaflon  of  Dr.  Elders  wO  ensure  an  increased  dedication  to  the  health 
status  of  afl  Americans.  We  urge  you  to  strongly  support  her  confirmation. 

The  YWCA  of  Vie  U.S A  is  a  women's  membership  organization.  Founded  m 
1858,  it  is  committed  to  the  empowerment  of  women  and  the  eaminandn  of 
racism.  Currently,  It  serves  over  two  manon  girts,  women  and  their  famfies 
through  4.000  location*  across  the  nation. 


Sincerely. 


Ann  StaSard 

National  Preside 

GCSsnb 


/    Gwendolyn  Calvert  Baker 

y        National  Executive  Director 


HateatBoaa 


War  ftmkun.  fcOWi 


*W 


72SI 

N*.*rt.NYtO0O3 
212-8  V4-2700 


JMST 


Z5& 


128 


General  Board  of  Church  and  Society  01  The  United  Methodist  Church 
100  Maryland  Avenue.  N.E..  Washington.  DC.  20002  •  (202)488-5600 


July  7.  1993 

United  Stares  Senate 
Washington.  DC  20510 

Dear  Senator: 


The  General  Board  of  Church  and  Society  of  The  United  Methodist  Church  is  proud  of  Dr.  Joycelyn 
Elder's  commitment  to  health  and  wholeness  for  all.  A  life-long  member  of  our  denomination,  she 
exemplifies,  through  her  words  and  actions,  the  church's  dedication  to  healing  ministries.  Her  career  as 
a  pediatrician  and  public  health  professional  characterizes  her  religious  devotion  to  the  needs  of  others. 

Dr.  Elders  has  the  strength  of  will  and  mission  to  confront  the  difficult  and  complex  health  care  issues 
facing  our  nation.  As  Surgeon  General,  she  win  lead  us  in  reform  by  focusing  the  debate  on  the  concerns 
of  prevention  and  accessibility.  One  of  her  major  goals  will  be  improving  the  health  and  well-being  of 
alt.  especially  adolescents.  She  will  address  the  issues  of  infectious  disease,  nutrition,  tobacco  and 
alcohol  use.  as  well  as  (be  prevention  of  injury  and  violence.  Her  leadership,  anchored  in  her  faith 
commitment,  is  urgently  needed  in  this  era  of  failing  health  care  systems  and  polarized  vested  interests. 

/.  Elders  is  a  board-certified  pediatric  endocrinologist.  As  professor  and  researcher  at  the  University 
<f  Arkansas  Medical  School,  she  has  authored  more  than  150  scholastic  articles  for  medical  publications. 

Among  numerous  distinctions,  she  has  received  the  American  Medical  Association's  awards  for 
Outstanding  Efforts  on  Behalf  of  American  Youth  and  Outstanding  Public  Health  Professional,  the 
National  Governor's  Association's  Distinguished  Service  Award,  and  the  National  Education  Association's 
Award  for  Creative  Leadership  in  Women  Rights. 

She  currently  serves  on  the  boards  of  a  dozen  councils  and  commissions  in  (he  public  and  private  sectors, 
including  (he  National  Institute  of  Medicine's  Hearth  Promotion  Disease  Prevention  Committee  and  the 
Council  on  Government  Affairs  for  (he  Academy  of  Pediatrics. 

In  (he  five-and-a-half  years  since  she  became  director  of  the  Arkansas  State  Health  Department,  she  has 
helped  raise  the  immunization  rates  of  pre-scbool  children  in  (he  state  and  has  been  instrumental  in 
attracting  more  health  care  professionals  to  practice  in  underserved  areas. 

Confirmation  of  Dr.  Elders  will  help  ensure  (hat  an  improved  health  status  for  all  becomes  a  priority  of 
(his  nation.    I  encourage  your  sfong  support  in  her  behalf. 

Sincerely, 


Jane  Hull  Harvey 

Assistant  General  Secretary 

Minjnrv  of  God's  Human  Community 


129 


Why  the  Government  Urges 
Abstinence  and  Condoms 


•  Hcaltn:  The  public  interest  in 
curbing  scr-relatcd  dtsctcc  is  also 
scrvco  in  encou  rapine  moral,  or 
*u  least  more  responsible, 
scx-rclatcd  bduvio:. 

87  JAMS  O.  MASON 

A  cvsk  I  l—  uta  ten  Ox  k»»rr 
<40W  Out  aOf  to  4  t*r*Q"  ted  I 
•■=0  aettre  tfcer  «"••*  MMfVll.  TV 
cacaar  — Hal  Sua  ttoa  the  t«v. 

unafiutattmaliirtidiia 


I  m  •  vkrCOM.  CM  I  Mm  at  <fl  cf 
>»»  •*»•— iambi  urrt 


■■a  w*»  a.  avow*— ev«r    <■■■—!  aaa  a»c 

■PWMJJiC   IO.   ■  tK«*H    *«l*-r«fl   :■  - 

<Mtl   or   Mmira«lfHl   •   rem   cjmk   * 
■  it  «*  Uh  aratlu.  4u*b*t«  and  ncm* 
•f  .IK 
..Pn«  L**\  IM  Kaaauwa*  ivrvlvwr  .<w: 


n<wc*  *■>•  hMKIU.  cw-  ««  m  eo  a.  OUm 
■—  arcaaw.  tW  Mrmwuvt."  1  Wk^t  out 
(Aw  if  irwa.  t  Mot  uwtt  «f  »Kt  on  tar 
UatC    Mta    KIT    M    n|    -.ecu    1    iM 

CMmtewttMllklaMfkMAlteMlUll 

tvtearaetrwr  btajaaiaii  Utat  aftm  taaivuw  - 
•Li  «m3  taoacjr.  Wc  raw  «)a  (Mv  — J-xf. 
Ctar  af  artvnr»er  natewx  r-Ur*°T  UKl 
»*<r  oai«C»i>«iriiii|-«i;a.Ti- 
ata". 


a»e  tor  tiiiln  AflK.  bop,.,  mm 


lanKuuMnsta 

* r*r--   '    iirtij 

■t£  Or.  onpU.  -w>*r<  Oat  <ja 

mxaiftf  u  c»r  tt  is  w  tat  «-t«j 

taut  1  U>  caaMacaaJ  H  «J  I  IT  una  1  •> 

a*  raetk  Hoki  larlct  Out  arufa 
■  •««  carj«  mu 


cartr  aad  eaarjaml  rruul  an.  km  rxW 

baft*    tr«    tut    ctaatffK 
fartjj  fJCCRK  «   UW  llll»»llWl  «x  « 

(Mav  annua  «*  airuai  i**n  »-»,   " 

•aUCJ.  4110]  katjta  an  M   OH  !««. 

SuutM?aiia«cMnikirIri 
IMMvi  *ad  tBflOB  -at  a**  <»»  » J 


<teia<iaajM>a<btc>aW.W 

urtoui«juacow4a«Ti«tM<tTiir. 

«OCV». 


PrcxnlKuttr — cuadutl 
lattpoc  jtble  ««.  wttcUter 
betYrtMa  hoasosustlf  or 

net  era  14jcu*Ii — ti  t  root  canoe 
of  coirtT  of  tte  dosttu, 

dUatblflry  end  «nf  utt*  o(  AIDS. 


T»  iuxk^cuU  rate  a  **aa  araactx  • 
Ml  a  113  H  fMrtM.  C  TMNB  Xacn. 

•UnnKTatMvMua 

-'i-'       1     1    riiiiwi 
»-.  aSaaft  owact  s»  c«  tap,,  tat 


■■MM  t.  aHJU  uodtSdrat  ttat  vttt  4c 
»»T»«t>e»aC«Mtaaa:aiitliaL«.tV'»c<1». 
aattawtrrtta. 

TImk  tr*  tfc*  enck  INbwwfc  Che  l». 
"•C  aatUt  <»  radi  aruwetr  «*  dfi. 
rate  ii  «l«<  naknl  u«i  cuj  k> 
toil  itaeul  t7ixiroo>t  k^uuuu;  ul 


•<  kntw.  laa.  la  Dak  JOES  aaL  Uut 
0>a7i  k  an  aaor«  IrUuJ  itouai  ti  kqq 
Ohm  araaJbaaaa.  Da  w«  k«*«  Ok  aauraft 

lo  rid  o»  dtta  a<  tab  bcMnar; 

He  la  Ok  rvtak  Honk  Sante  kan 
acBtawxaaaa4aiiiii4X  n  AaMrtrani  tto 
Cat/  aaaaal  BaaatT  mm  of  sV*  kaaaU 

W<  ufi  Uau  u-t  ■*«  U  M.  rala.  pu , 
aaaaki  aaa  HOt  attrelac,  V>>'«.  amri 

(fc»>.auaii,k«ji.«uuni«iiu 

Mlaauaaalbc-laiJmayu.W^ 
wafl  atan  *»  i»  akw  aa  aaaaal  aai  aai  la 
•r  alracL  Vfn  aakl  Out 
"  I  ftt  aaaaaaapwa  aval  Out 

MM     Mljraaalkmiaaf^aai- 

«■•)  ajaj  tatat  arcaaar  oVackad 

*•  la 


"•  -*"*'  »aPSb«»»»ai I'TaTij 

a^cncai  >aaui  aad  •  aaakl  a>  «me> 
•uao-  OCl  art  lb<>  ic  aitinaiai 
-n«  tkak  aaOti  aX  ajty  act  amaaj 
<a*a*«a*»r»<   bctaajaa  Om»  uu  «4   H 

"•am  aac  aaaat  «(  «■ 


<  root  Oka  avu  Out  taaana   u  an 

taCb-Oj  laaMdail  a 

b  If,  uvt  r«VK  1 


*crco_  Ukt  aanl  at  am  hurv 
•era*  o*  j  GLu  Ine  as  w  ncaaaaaaa  o 
car  aaaa  caruan  aajaaaaa  ■■  af  anaal 


•  In  racajaaa,  I  uaak.  «rt  ■ 
aaMM  *wl  4fi—  ar<  «<tM.  tnal  «  M 
Knuinmrrigunnnma  AIOS«r«l 
«■•«•  tcavtir  laaaaaaasai  aaaaata  ta  ••-. 
ace  tTaai  *t  m  *~??x  mnc  NcMr.  m. 


daaufc  ta  her  caala  «rta  «t« 
caaraa   irajct  «ad    ajajfjaaaaty   CMXtraj 


cm  ana  —any.  OW  aari  «tic> 
t«a  taare  art  aaaa  wfaca  ute  ac«t  v«  rjA 
«alt  Kait.«piiiiftoMMM-MC« 
ti*c»aaL 
fcalanrran. 

>■  Jmm  0.  aaaat  t*  aawaM  a  ~**«w,-y 


130 


PERSPECTIVE  ON  AIDS 
L-A.    Times;    7-20-92 


L-A.   Times;    7-20-^  ._   _  Tr  x  7  ,  C^        C     C\ 

How  Do  You  Know  You  re  Sate/ 


Women  musi  gei  serious 

about  protecting 
!  themselves,  for  the 

epidemic  is  spreading, 
i  especially  among  teens. 

Jlj     By  »KTOMI*  C.  H0VEU.0 


As  the  nation's  first  female  sur- 
geon general.  Id  like  10  speak  10 
women  in  this  country  iboui  a 
health  problem  that  make*  me  (ear  lor 
all  of  us  the  alarming  spread  of  AIDS 
among  sexually  aciive  women 

In  the  second  decade  of  the  eptdeimc. 
the  female  (ace  of  AIDS  if  siitl  largely 
unfamiliar  We  do  not  yet  see  ourselves 
from  this  new  and  unsettling  vantage 
point,  and  we  are  letting  this  killer  claim 
more  and  more  of  us  and  our  children 

Wf*  cannot  expect  to  have  any  real 
power  over  our  health  and  well-being 
until  we  are  empowered  with  knowl- 
edge.  If  we  have  learned  anything  from 
if>r  soltdantv  of  the  women  s  movement, 
it  ts  this  To  know  a  to  care,  and  to  care 
■s  to  act 

Let  me  share  with  you  some  facts 
about  women  and  AIDS,  so  thai  you 
begin  to  see  the  problem  as  it  really  is 

The  Centers  (or  Disease  Control  esti- 
mates that  111.000  women  can  be  count- 
ed among  the  1  million  Americans  w-ho 
are  mfected  with  the  virus  but  do  not  yet 
show  major  symptoms  Although  men 
still  account  for  most  of  the  reported 
cases  of  AIDS  in  the  United  States, 
women  and  pennatally  infected  children 
are  the  fastest  -growing  groups  of  people 
reported  Out  of  more  than  IK. 000 
reported  cases,  roughly  22.000  have 
been  reported  mi  women,  almost  half  of 
them  mi  the  past  two  years 

HIV  infection  and  AIDS  are  now 
among  the  five  leading  causes  of  death 
(or  women  2S  to  44.  an  age  group  that 
account?  lor  nearly  half  of  all  the 
women  mi  tho  country  In  New  York 
City  and  New  Jersey.  AIDS  is  already 
the  leading  cause  of  death  in  women  of 
ctuldbeanng  age. 

About  half  of  the  women  now  sack 
with  AIDS  acoutred  the  virus  by  inject - 
mg  drugs,  out  at  least  34*r  got  AIDS 
through  heterosexual  sex.  and  n  xt  this 
risky  behavior  that  endangers  the 
greatest  number  of  women.  If  we  com- 
pare the  first  half  of  the  epidemic  u>  the 
second  half,  heterosexual  transmission 
has  lumped  by  4<%  Among  teen-age 
women     the    situation    i*    even 


pronounced    50T,    of   adolc~ 
eem   females  oiagnosed  wuh 
AIDS  in    1990  reported  con 
tracting   the   virus   through 
heterosexual  conuci 

Although  thr  data  on  trans 
mission   through    vaginal   in. 
tercourse  are  still  limited    a 
number  oi  studies  have  sup 
-  gested  that  an  infected  man 

may  be  2  to  a  tones  more 
likely  to  pass  the  virus  to  a  woman  than 
a  woman  is  likely  to  pass  «  to  a  man  one 
study  estimated  a  20  tunes  higher  rut 

Any  woman  who  risks  hating  unprc- 
tected  sex  with  fust  one  man  is  taking 
the  incredible  risk  of  exposure  to  all  of 
hrs  partner;  Remember  the  partners 
you  have  had  in  the  last  10  years,  now 
think  about  what  that  means  to  you  and 
your  children,  even  those  yet  unborn 

It  ts  widely  assumed  that  women  who 
get  AIDS  through  sex  arc  part  of  the 
drug  culture  Indeed.  62*;  of  women 
who  acouirr  the  virus  heierosexually 
report  that  their  partners  injected  drug; 
But  an  increasing  proportion  of  AIDS 
cases  ts  being  attributed  to  sexual  con- 
tact w-ith  a  man  whose  nsk  factors  were 
unknown  to  the  woman  This  category 
has  increased  from  6Tt  m  I9&1  to  about 
IS-",  in  1391  Also  increasing  is  the 
number  of  cases  among  women  who 
report  sexual  contact  with  bisexual  men 
9*i  fall  into  this  category,  and  they  tend 
to  be  older  women,  between  30  and  49 

I  cannot  stress  enough  the  far-reach- 
ing, deadly  consequences  of  drug  abuse 
Drug  injection  transmits  HIV  through 
Mood  in  and  on  shared  needles  and 
syringes  Tins  pracucr  involves  a  two- 
fold nsk  direct  transmrssMn  through 
shared  needles  and  sexual  transmission 
from  men  who  infect  drugs  Alcohol. 
crack  cocaine  and  other  drugs  alter 
judgment  about  sexual  contact  and  may 
put  users  of  these  drags  a:  higher  nsk 
for  infection 
We 


stop  taking  chances  and 
begin  to  lake  greater  charge  of  our  lives 
We  must  take  the  imuauve  to  protect 
our  health,  to  shield  ourselves  and  our 
children  from  all  sexually  transmitted 
diseases,  including  HIV 

The  Imsi  step  in  prevention  rs  being 
aware  of  the  nsks.  then  the  challenge  is 
to  change  behavior  Tho  means  refrain  - 
mg  from  sex  altogether,  or  demanding 
and  nutfiuinmr  a  truly  monogamous 
relationship,  or  negotiating  for  safer  sex 
through  the  use  of  condoms 

Taking  such  action  can  be  very  hard 
for  some  women  v->  uvr  been  telling 
•dually  active  women  thai  abstmencr 


works  and  that  those  v.  ho  cannot  al- 
stain  shoulo  change  the  ruie«  arm 
insist  that  their  partners  wear  ronoom- 
But  tor  women  in  some  communities 
this  can  seem  impossible  We  have  also 
been  telling  *ornen  that  monogamou- 
sex  with  one  uninfected  partner  i- 
sale— but  reahsueallv  speaking  can*--, 
cry  woman  be  sure  that  she  is  in  j  irul; 
monogamous  relationship"  8ecausr  of 
socul  cultural  and  religiou'  beliefs  m 
some  communities  women  who  insist  on 
bargaining  for  their  protection  may  be 
abandoned,  abused  or  thrown  out  on  the 
streets 

Of  equal  concern  is  the  fact  that  nun> 
women,  especull--  those  associated  with 
the  drug  culture,  are  not  inclined  to  seek 
health  services  In  many  cases  women"; 
inbred  role  of  caretaker  leads  them  to 
put  others  first.  They  may  be  diagnosed 
too  late  and  thus  appear  to  die  faster 

AIDS  diagnoses  may  also  be  compli 
cated  by  the  fact  that  women  with  HIV 
often  present  slightly   different  symp 
tone  Ulan  men.  Like  their  male  counter 
pans,  they  suffer  from  diarrhea  weight 
loss  and  Pneumocystis  carint.  pne-jmo 
nia     In   addition   to   these   wrtl-fcnonri 
AIDS  manifestation',   women  with  the 
virus  are  prone  to  gynecologici:  disor 
ders  such  as  cervical  dysplasia  taonor 
ma:  cells   of  the  cctvui    and  severe 
difficult -to -treat  yeast  infections    O- ■ 
ing  to  these  gender  differences  in  the 
manifestation    of    the   disease.    I    urg< 
women  to  consul:  thoroughlv  with  their 
health -care  providers 

Woman  to  woman.  I  urge  each  of  >ou 
in  all  sincerity,  tha:  if  you  have  an> 
reason  tu  believe  tha:  you  may  ha»< 
contracted  HIV.  the  time  to  ae:  •;  <*w 
Contact  your  doctor  or  visr.  *  publrc 
health  clinic  or  testing  site  ngh:  a«a 
(or  counseling  anc  testing 

And  don  t  panic  Remember,  you  art 
not  alone.  AIDS  has  become  -  womer  • 
disease  Lntr!  there  ts  a  cure.  «e  muv. 
encourage  one  another  to  ou  »tui  •• 
necessary  to  take  care  of  ourseivcr  !•  :■ 
net  egotistica:  to  give  our  own  hcalir. 
pnoray  ■  n  is  Me -affirming  In  ihe  face  of 
AIDS,  for  once  put  your  owr.  heal::: 
lirst  Your  family  will  have  a  lifetime  «. 
be  glad  you  did 


For  more  information.  ca:i  the  Center- 
for  Osease  Control  fvatMWia:  AIDS  Hoi 
hne     1-800  312 -AIDS,    or     1-300-344 
SI  Da  t  Spanish  i 


Lr    Antonio  C    \ourV  •  i<  th> 
ornnal  ol  thr  I  nttrd  2Uotr> 


ivr<yr,. 


131 


Teen-agers'  high-risk 
behavior  courts  ADDS 


COMMENT 


By  Aranoin  C 
Novwlo,  sur- 
geon fshrnvaj 
c4  ire  PuCfic 
Haalm  Service 


While  AIDS  experts  cortter  in  Amsterdam,  the 
USA  needs  to  focus  on  curbing  the  spread  of 
the  virus  among  adolescents. 


The  fresh  young  Bases  of  our     every  30scc- 
adolcsccne   are    iacreastagly     oods. 
becoming  (be   new    faces  of         Young 
AIDS  —   and  as  a  oaoon  we      people  crura 
na-r  not  yet  begun  to  recog-     understand 
"•■"•  that  tsa.  Ok  links  m 

The  plan  truth  ts  that  today.  Ok  chain  of 
in  tbis  country,  rruluoas  of  high  aloobol  cad 
setMOl  and  coucge-age  SBKieos  other  drugs, 
may  be  at  dire  risk  of  contract-  risky  sex 
tag  i£<  buman  irnrnunodefi-  practices, 
oency  virus  and  AIDS.  multiple  as 

Through  June,  S72  cases  of     partners.  ta> 
■dOlccePB  with  AIDS  were  re-     protected 
ported  in  tbe   UpJtad   Srafrt      sex  aod  ser.- 
Tbo  deceptively  small  ouraber 
ooaoaq  tbe   tact   that  over 
44.000  young  adults  ages  20-29 
have  been  reported  wta»  AIDS, 
many  of  auuut  may  Daac  PI  t  a 
uuccied  during  then-  teenage 
years,  la  1989.  HTV/AIDS  bc- 
came  tbe  sua  leading  cause  of 
death  among  young  people 
ages  ISM 

AIDS  cues  i»|""«*v<  **rwig 
artolrrrm  females  have  mare 
than  doubled  —  from  13%  of 
aO  artotrrrnt  cases  hi  1987  to 
X%  in  1991  —  and  more  (ban 
half  are  doe  S3  bcocrosexual 
cocoa.  While  (he  overall  raoo 
of  males,  to  females  reported 
vifh  AIDS  is  I  to  I  In  adutts.  tt  ts 
2.7  to  |  amoog  teen-agers. 

Studies  indicate  the  —crag 
age  of  arst  sexual  expenence 
amoog  US.  adolcsccnc  b  1 4  A 
1990  survey  of  adolescents  by 
tbe  Centers  for  Disease  Control 
reported  that  14%  were  sexu- 
ally active  before  notsbiog 
tugh  school  and  19%  bad  lour 
or  more  partners. 

1  must  so  ess  this  c  usually 
unprotected  v  i  ital  acoviry  Of 
Ok  students  surveyed  woo  bad 
so  to  tbe  three  prcccdint 
months.  <i%  reported  using 
condoms.  Coooom  use  dropped 
ojxtlftcanay  as  age  increased 

Also.  S  mllbon  cases  of  sexu- 
ally transmitted  diseases  occur 
annually  among  persons  under 
tbe  age  of  25  —  tbe  equivalent 
..  Of  a  tccn-agcr  contracting  ■ 
menially    rransrraacd    debtee 


ually  transmitted  diseases 

wtuch  can  lead  u>  rrarramrrrtoo 
of  BTV  and  AIDS.  Too  many 
young  people  fan  to  racagaja 
these  risks  and  f*ilm  prof  es- 
s»ooal  ginrtaorx  and  sappon.  01 
(he  adolen  PBB  arho  did  sock 
AIDS/HTV  cnyjixliug  and  test- 
ing bra  year,  futrr  b«%  <&d  oo< 
recta' o  lor  Oaerr  lest  tmfci 

AS  snrgeon  general.  1  cannot 
allow  the  jpread  of  HTV  m  ado- 
lesceots  to  coolloae  un- 
checked We  most  Impress 
upon  ooa*  young  people  Qhnf  ab- 
stinence ts  the  ooly  suit  way  to 
protect  thepssBTvcS  from  nc- 

disoase  or  HTV.  Bat  being  real 
isoc  1  believe  «e  must  also 
crtucati*  oar  youth  about  the 
best  ways  to  protect  fhexn- 
idvo  U  they  cboose  to  be  sexu- 
ally  active.  Fortbcm.  we  mus 
not  fail  to  provide  adequate  a> 
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donas  and  alert  tbem  to  their 
obligations  and  lesponnhilitics 
toward  oteh-  sexual  partoers. 
Above  all.  we  must  foster  In 
tbem  a  cauoous,  sensible  and 
rcalisoc  approach  to  sex 

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empathise  wttb  youth  and  re- 
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and  themselves  In  rtsfcy  soia- 
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more  than  a  few  minutes  but 
having  perhaps  a  liteome  of 
consoQuenccs. 

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government    officials    have    to 


Who  is  getting  AIDS 

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job  m  d-y-as-t- 


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How  teens  contract  it 

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cassgonos  in  13-19  ago  group.  (Through  Juno  1992) 


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parents  and/or  sexual  aod 
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rok  wui  have  to  be  addressed 
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uig  aod  couoscuog  that  S>ey 
wuj  feel  comfonable  going  10 

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adolcsceocs'  awareness  of  tbe 
dangers  o<  KIV/aIDS  cannot 
be  overstated.  But  we  must  be 
wvtchful  that  our  strugs^c  to 
educate  tnem  rs  not  rendered 


boOow  by  failure  to  provide  bo- 
mane,  respectful  andconaden. 
oalsennces  to  all  adolesoena. 
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<  Sorts  to  address  KTV  uMccsoa 
In  adolcsccno  depends  less  oo 
tbe  cornpooenrs  of  our  uuoa- 
pves  (ban  on  the  willneeocdu} 
"carry  them  out.  We  cannot  per 
nut  tbe  ulxuTtatdy  divisive  c- 
sucs  of  adoleacenf  develop. 
meat  to  hinder  our  cflorrs.  Tbe 
ome  has  come  u>  open  our  eyes 
10  tbe  chanpog  faces  of  AIDS, 
to  do  away  with  blame  and  to 
share  msxead.  In  rbe  wisdom 
and  experience  (hat  ~ui  pn> 
tect  our  cblldncn  —  and  theirs 
—  (rom  Ove  enagedy  of  AIDS 

»■  AIDS  coniorvx-ice    llv'O 


132 

Otl'AKTMtNl    Or    III.  ALTM  S  HUMAN  ^ERVtCtS  '•.">,<    '■"••>'l'>S.-.v.c, 


Ci'<i)e<-.  I»  O.-.rj-,.-  Co"l.ol 
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I?   I  5 


The   Honorable   Edward  M.    Kennedy 

Chairman 

Committee  on  Labor  and  Human  Resources 

United  States  Senate 

Washington,  D.C.  20S10 

Dear  Mr.  Chairman: 

You  have  inquired  about  the  use  of  Centers  for  Disease 
Control  (CDC)  sexually  transmitted  disease  (STD)  and  human 
immunodeficiency  (HIV)  prevention  funds,  for  condoms.   When  asked, 
we  have  provided  the  following  guidance: 

The  Centers  for  Disease  Control  (CDC)  supports  public  health 
activities  that  can  prevent  the  spread  of  human  immunodeficiency 
virus  (HIV)  infection  among  adults  and  young  people.   Prevention 
messages  targeted  to  these  populations  strongly  emphasize 
postponing  sexual  activity  for  young  people,  and  mutual  monogamy 
with  an  uninfected  partner  for  sexually  active  adults.   From  a 
public  health  perspective,  both  approaches  will  help  prevent 
infection  with  HIV  or  other  sexually  transmitted  diseases  (STDs) . 
For  those  persons  whose  sexual  behavior  puts  them  at  risk,  proper 
use  of  condoms  is  an  effective  means  of  reducing  the  risk  of  HIV 
or  STD  infection. 

Cooperative  agreements  with  state  education  agencies  funded 
by  CDC's  Division  of  Adolescent  and  School  Health  are  used  to 
support  HIV  education  as  part  of  comprehensive  school  health 
education.   These  programs  are  designed  to  help  young  people 
develop  the  skills  they  will  need  to  avoid  HIV  infection,  other 
STDs,  and  other  related  health  problems.   These  cooperative 
agreements  provide  support  for  the  implementation  of  HIV 
education  within  comprehensive  school  health  education  programs, 
but  not  for  the  purchase  or  provision  of  condoms. 

The  CDC  also  supports  state  and  local  health  departments  as 
well  as  community -based  organizations  to  implement  HIV  prevention 
programs.   These  grantees  are  authorized  to  purchase  condoms  with 
funds  awarded  to  those  agencies  by  CDC.   These  funds  are 
different  from  those  awarded  to  state  education  agencies.   Health 
departments  are  authorized  to  use  funds  from  both  the  STD  grants 
and  the  HIV  prevention  cooperative  agreements  for  purchase  of 
condoms,  for  distribution  in  STD  clinics  or  as  part  of  ocher 
health  department  programs. 

Decisions  about  the  role  of  condoms  in  any  program  of  HIV 
and  STD  prevention  are  best  made  locally,  with  careful  attention 
•  to  the  context  in  which  they  are  presented.   The  CDC  recognizes 
and  supports  the  right  of  each  affected  community  to  determine 

the  course  of  action  most  appropriate  co  prevent  HIV  inici  .on 
under  local  circumstances. 

I  hope  this  information  is  helpful  to  you. 

Sincerely, 


William  L.    Roper.    M.D.  ,  >1.P.H. 
Director 


133 


COHDOXS    TOR    PBSVEWTIOU    OT    STD/HIV 

Overview 

•  Bacteria  and  viruses  cannot  pass  through  an  intact  latex  condoc 

•  Multiple  studios  have  deaonstrated  that  condom  use  protects  against  STD 
.  Several  etudles  in  persons  continuously  exposed  co  HTV+  partners  show  chat 

condoms  procecc  than  against  HIV  infect: ion 

•  Contraceptive  failure  rates  are  very  low  aaong  experienced  users 

•  Condons  ire  manufactured  with  high  star.dcads  of  quality 

•  Breakage  rates  attributable  to  poor  quality  are  very  low 

Sf faotiveness 
Laboratory  studies 

•  Condoms   provide   a  mechanical  barriar  which  prevents  dlrecc  contact  with 

semen,    ganlcal    discharge,    genital    lesions,    or   infectious    secretions 

•  Bacteria   and  viruses   cancot  pass   through   intact  latex  condoms 

•  Viruses  occasionally  pass  through  natural  aeabrane   ("skin"  or  lambskin) 

condoms  under   laboratory  conditions 

Human   studies 

•  Multiple   studies    show  condoms  protacc   users   and   their  partners   against 
gonorrhea   and    infection  with  ureaplasaa,    herpes    simplex  virus,    and  HIV 

•  Several  studies   show   1001  effectiveness   against  STD  and  HIV 

Condom  Quality 

•  Condoms   are   classified  as  a  medical  device   regulated  by  the   FDA 

-  Condoms   are  manufactured  according  to  national    standards 

•  Each   condom   is    individually  tested  for  pinholes   and  areas   of   Chinning 

Condon  railure 
Incorrect  use   or   oocuse 

•  Condoms   are  highly   effective  only  when  used  consistently  and  correctly 

-  Most   experts  agree    that  condoms   fail   eosc   often  due   to  incorrect  and/or 

Inconsistent   use 

•  Typical  contraceptive    failure  rates  of  10-201   include  persons  who  did  not 
use  condoms  consitentLy 

•  Studies  show  that  only  30-601  of  mao  who  claln  to  use  condoms  for 
contraception  actually  used  them  for  every  act  of  intercourse 

•  Contraceptive   effectiveness  increases  with  experience-- failure    rates   as   low 
as   0.61   nave  been  documented  in  experienced  users 

Condom  breakage 

•  Most    studies    in   the   U.S.    show  breakage   rates   i»    leas    than  la    (1   break  per 
100  acta  of  Intercourse 

•  Incorrect  use    (oil -based  lubricants,    fingernail   tears)   accounts   for  many 
condom  breakages  .« 

•  Broken  condoms   do   not    always   lead   to    Infecciou  or   pregnancy- -one    study 
showed  that  more    Chan  half  of  breaks  occurred  prior   to  ejaculation 

Thank   you    for   your   recent   Inquiry   regarding  ef fectjv«>nwss  of  condoms   to 
prevent   sexual   transmission  of  HIV.     Enclosed  ace  a  bibliography  of  references 
and   a    review   from  the  Morbidity  and  Mortality  Weekly  Report. 

Condoms   provide  a  mechanical  barrier  which  prevents  direct  contact  with  semen, 
genital   discharge,    genital   lesions,   or   lntectious   secretions.   To  be  effective, 
condoms   oust   be  placed   on   the   penis  prior   to   any  genital   contact,    must    remain 
intact,    and.    most    importantly,   must   be  used  consistently   and  cocrectly. 
Effectiveness  of  condoms   to  prevent  sexually   transmitted  diseases  has  been 
documented   in  many   laboratory  and  clinical   studies. 


134 

Multiple    laboratory   studies,    some  of  which   attempted   to  simulate   the 
mechanical   friction  of  coitus,   have  clearly  demonstrated  that  a   latex  condom 
is  a  continuous,    impervious  barrier  to  sexually  transmitted  bacteria  and 
viruses,    including  HIV.      Natural  membrane   ("skin")   condoms,    however,    have  been 
shovn   to  contain  small   pores  which  allow  passage  of  HIV  in  laboratory  tests. 

Multiple  studies  conducted  among  sexually  active  persons  have  shown  that 
condoms   protect  users   and  their  partners  against  gonorrhea,    ureaplasma 
infection,   herpes  simplex  virus  infection,   and  HIV  infection.   As  with 
contraceptive  studies,    effectiveness  varies  among  studies-     Several  studies 
show  100Z  effectiveness,   but  others  show  that  some  individuals  became  infected 
despite  self-reported  condom  use.      Some  of  these  individuals  may  have  become 
infected  prior   to  starting  consistent  condom  use.     Condoms  are  highly 
effective  only  with  consistent  and  correct  use.  which  cannot  be  easily 
confirmed  by   researchers.     Condom  failure  is  due  to  nonuse.    incorrect  us«. 
breakage,   or   leakage.      Although  the  'typical-  faiUre  rate  of  condoms  as 
contraceptives    Is   approximately  10-20Z,    this   figure   reflects   failure  of  the 
user    (to  use  the  condom)   in  addition  to  failure  of   the  condom  itself.      Indeed, 
condom  effectiveness   as  a  contraceptive   increases  with  experience,    and    failure 
rates   as   low  as   0.6Z  have  been  documented  (Vessey) .      M°st  ****  suggest   that 
the    individual,   not  the  condom,    is  usually  responsible   for  infections  and 
unwanted  pregnancies,    and   inconsistent  use  accounts   for  a  large  proportion  of 
unwanted  pregnancies   among  condom  users   (Sophocles).      For  example,    studies   in 
Bangladesh   (Ahmed   1990).    and  Barbados   (Russell-Brown)    showed  that   only  602  and 
30Z.    respectively,    of  men  who  said  they  used  condoms   for  contraception 
actually  used    then   for  every  act  of   intercourse. 

Incorrect  use  also  accounts   for  some  cotiduu  failures   and  breakage.    In  one 
study,    men  who   acquired   gonorrhea   despite   condom  use   reported   putting  the 
condom  on   the   penis   after   sexual   activity  had  begun   (Darrow).      Most   studies    in 
the  United  States  have  shown  breakage  rates  ate   less   than  1  break  per  100   acts 
of    Intercourse,    and   Incorrect  use   accounts    for   a   lacga   proportion.      One 
Australian   study    (Richters)    reported  8  breaks    In    1269   acts    of   vaginal    and    anal 
sex    (•■«    rate   of   0.6Z);    seven  of   the  breaks  were    related   to   fingernail    tears   or 
use   of   oil-based    lubricant    (which  weakens   the   latex). 

Manufacturing  defects   are  quite  uncommon,    since  national   standards   are  used 
and   samples    are   tested   to   assure  high  quality,      tech   condom  Is    individually 
tested   for  pinholav   or   areas   of   thinning.      Moreover,    condoms    aro  classified   as 
medical   devices    by   the   Food   and   Drug  Administration,    which   actively  monitors 
condoms  manufactured  in  and  imported  into  the  United  States. 

It  is   important  to  remember  that  a  broken  condom  does  not  always   lead  to 
pregnancy  or  infection   (Liskin).     A  woman's  chances  of  pregnancy   from  a  single 
act  of  intercourse  have  been  estimated  to  average  2-«Z  (Tietse).      In  one  U.S. 
survey,   pregnancy  occurred  in  only  «  of  women  who  reported  condom  breakage 
(Hatcher).     Although  infection  with  a  sexually  transmitted  disease  can  occur 
at  any  time,    most  exposures  do  not  in  fact  lead  to  infection.   The  chances  of 
infection  with  HIV  after  a  single  sexual  exposure  has  been  estimated  to  be  as 
low  as  0.001  and  as  high  as  0.1  (Liskin).     also,  not  all  condom  breaks  are 
equally  risky.     In  one  study  (Piedrahita).  more  than  half  of  the  breaks 
occurred  while  the  condom  was  being  put  oa  or  taken  off.     In  another  study, 
all  breaks  occurred  prior  to  ejaculation  (Richters) 

In  summary,   we  regard  condom  use  as  "highly  effective"   for  the  following 
reasons:    (1)  bacteria  and  viruses  cannot  pass  through  intact  latex  condoms, 
(2)  multiple  studies  have  demonstrated  that  condom  use  protects  against 
sexually  transmitted  diseases.    (3)  several  studies  have  shown  that  persons 
exposed  to  HIV  who  used  condoms  remained   free  of  infection  over  many  months, 
(4)  extremely  low  contraceptive  failure  rates  have  been  demonstrated  among 
experience  condom  users.    (5)  condoms   are  manufactured  with  high  standards  of 
quality,    and   (5)  breakage  rates  attributable  to  poor  quality  are  quite   low. 

1   hope   this  information  is  useful.      Thank  you  for  your  concern  about  this 
important  public  health  Issue. 


135 


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study,  Barbados  and  St.  Lucia  condom  lot,  sitei  Family  Health  International 
(PHI).  Research  Triangle  Park,  HC.  FBI,  September  1990  (unpublished) . 

Consumers  Union.   Can  you  rely  on  condoms?  Consumer  Reports  March  1989. 

Free  HJ  et  al:  Relationship  between  condom  strength  and  failure  during  use 
Contraception  1980 ; 22 t 31. 

Free  KJ  et  al:  An  assessment  of  burst  strength  distribution  nets  for 
monitoring  quality  of  condom  stocks  in  developing  countries.  Contraception 

1986j33t2BS. 

colombok  s,  SAetchly  J,  Bust  J:  Condom  failure  among  homosexual  man.  J  AIDS 
1989;2:404-409. 

Program  for  Appropriate  Technology  ln  Health  (PATH)  and  Program  for 
Introduction  and  Adaptation  of  Contraceptive  Technology  (PIACT).  Monitoring 
condom  quality.   Outlook.  1987;Si2-S. 

Richters  J,  Donovan  B,  Cerofi  J,  Watson  L:  Low  condom  breakage  rate  in 
commercial  sex.   Lancet  1988;2:1489. 

Tlndall  B.  swar.se*  c.  Donovan  B.  Cooper  DA.:  Sexual  practices  and  condom  usage 
in  a  cohort  of  homosexual  men  in  relation  to  human  immunodeficiency  virus 
status.  Mad  J  Australia  1989;151:318-322. 

vanCriensven  CJP,  devroome  EMM.  Tielman  RAP,  Coutinbo  RA:  Failure  rate  of 
condoms  during  anogenital  intercourse  in  homosexual  man.  Cenitourin  Med 
1988;64:344-346.  ^^ 


137 

voeller  B,  Coulson  AH,  Bernstein  CS,  mLuuci  RMz  Mineral  oLl  lubricants  cium 
rapid  deterioration  of  latex  condoas.  Contraception  1989;39:96-102. 

Migersaa  L,  Oud  R:  Safety  And  acceptability  o£  condoas  for  aM  by  homosexual 
men  as  a  prophylactic  against  transmission  of  HXV  during  anogenital  sexual 
intercourse.   Br  J  Had  1987,-295:94 .  (ROTE:  Data  in  text  are  correct;  tablaa 
axe  wrong  J 

Oopdfl—  for  Prevention  of  Pregnancy 

Ahmed  C,  Liner  EC,  Williaawon  KE,  Schellstsda  up.   Character iatica  of  condoo 
use  and  associated  problena:  Experience  La  Bangladesh.  Contraception 
1990;42:523-33. 

Russell-Brown  P,  Townseod  JW.  Study  of  th«  determinants  and  quality  of  condom 
use  in  two  Eastern  Caribbean  countries:  Barbados  and  St.  Lucia:  Final 
technical  report-  Mev  York:  The  Population  Council,  1990  (unpublished). 

Sophocles  AJ,  Brozovich  EM.  Birth  control  failure  aoong  patients  with  unwanted 
pregnancies:  1962-1984.  J   Fan  Practice  1986;22:45-8. 

nctic  c.  Probability  of  prvgnancy  resulting  from  a   single  unprotected  coitus. 
Fertility  and  Sterility  1960;llx48S-8. 

Trussell  J,  Koet  K.  Contraceptive  failure  in  the  United  States:  a  critical 
review  of  the  literature.   Stud  Faa  Plans  1987;18:237-283. 

Trussell  J,  tlatcher  RA,  Cates  H,  Stewart  FH,  Koet  X.   Contraceptive  failure  in 
tba  Onited  States:  an  update.   Stud  Faa  Plana  1990;21:51-4. 

vaseey  MP,  Vi Hard-Macintosh  L,  McPbsrson  K,  testes  0.   Factors  influencing 
use-effectiveness  of  the  condoo.   Br  J  Faa  Plann  1988;14:40-3. 


138 


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141 

Statements  of  Support  for  Dr.  Joycelyn  Elders  Received  by  Senator 
Paul  Wellstane  as  of  July  23,  1993 

Adolescent  AIDS  Program 

Becker,  MH  (Individual) 

AIDS  Action 

AIDS  national  Interfaith  network 

AIDS  Service  of  Dallas 

AJ  Congress 

fcmericaii  Academy  of  Child  and  Adolescent  Psychiatry 

American  Assoc-  of  University  Women 

American  Cancer  Society 

American  College  of  Physicians 

rican  College  of  Preventive  Medicine 
ican  Dietetic  Association 

ican  Federation  of  labor  and  Congress  of  Industrial 
Organization 
Lean  Heart  Association 
American  medical  Women's  Association 
Ambulatory  Pediatric  Assoc. 
American  School  Health  Association 
American  Social  Health  Assoc. 
American  Society  for  MtxHr-jti   Technology 
American  Public  Health  Assoc. 

Association  of  Maternal  and  Child  Health  Programs 
Association  of  Schools  of  Public  Health 
Association  of  State  and  Territorial  Health  Officials 
Association  of  State  and  Territorial  Directors  of  Nursing 
Catholics  Speak  Oat 
Child  Welfare  League  of  America 

Citizen  Action 

Coalition  of  Labor  Onion  Women 

Coalition  for  Hutrition  Services  in  Health  Care  Ref om 

Commissioned  Officers  Assoc  of  O.S.  Public  Health  Service 

The  Council  of  the  Great  City  Schools 

Municipality  of  Anchorage  Dept  of  Health  and  Human  Services 

Englewood  Health  Dept 

Dili  1 1 wim  nr  ill  Defense  Fund 

Education  Training  Research 

The  Faculties  of  Graduate  Programs  in  Public  Health  Hutrition 

Family  Planning  Council,  Inc  (Los  Angeles  Regional) 

State  of  Georgia  Governor's  Special  Council  on  Family  Planning 

International  Onion,  United  Automobile,  Aerospace  &  Agricultural 
Implement  Workers  of  America  -  DAW 

<iw»  interreligious  Response 

national  Abortion  Federation 

Rational  H— mil  1  ji  AIDS  Partnership 

Mercy  medical  Center 

Mississippi  Conference  on  Social  Welfare 

national  Association  of  Social  Workers 

national  Association  of  State  Boards  of  Education 

national  Coalition  to  Support  Sexuality  Education 

national  Public  Health  Information  Coalition 

national  Medical  Association 


142 

RESPONSES  OF  M.  JOYCELYN  ELDERS,  M.D. 

TO 

QUESTIONS  SUBMITTED  BY  THE 

SENATE  COMMITTEE  ON  LABOR  AND  HUMAN  RESOURCES 

JULY  28, 1993 

M  Joycelyn  Elders,  M.D. 

810  Marcia  Cove 

Little  Rock,  Arkansas  72206 


July  29, 1993 


The  Honorable  Edward  M  Kennedy 
Chairman 

Senate  Labor  &  Human 
Resources  Committee 
315  Russell 
United  States  Senate 
Washington,  D.C  20510 

Dear  Senator  Kennedy: 


Attached  please  find  my  responses  to  the  written  questions  submitted  by 
Senator  Dan  Coats,  Senator  Nancy  Landon  Kassebaum,  Senator  Judd  Gregg,  Senator 
James  M  Jeffords,  yourself  and  Senator  Paul  Wellstone 


Attachment 


143 

RESPONSES  OF  M.  JOYCELYN  ELDERS,  M.D. 

TO 

QUESTIONS  SUBMITTED  BY 

SENATOR  DAN  COATS 

ABORTION 


1.  What  is  your  position  on  abortion? 

A:  I  have  repeatedly  stated  that  I  am  not  about  abortion.  I  believe  in  preventing 
unplanned,  unwanted  pregnancies.  If  you  do  that,  then  there  would  not  be  a 
need  for  abortion.  However,  I  do  believe  in  a  woman's  right  to  choose  as  set 
forth  in  the  US.  Supreme  Court  decision  of  Roe  v.  Wade. 

2.  Do  you  believe  a  woman  should  have  a  right  to  an  abortion,  for  any  or  no  reason, 
throughout  the  entire  duration  of  pregnancy? 

A:       See  response  to  1  above. 

3.  Do  you  support  reasonable  restrictions  on  abortion  such  as  parental  consent  or 
notification  for  minors? 

A:        It  is  my  understanding  that  the  Administration  opposes  any  Federal  attempts 
to  limit  access  to  abortion  through  mandatory  waiting  periods  or  parental  or 
spousal  consent  requirements.  The  Administration  does  not  oppose  State 
efforts  to  require  some  form  of  adult  counseling  or  consultation  for  underage 
girls  who  choose  to  have  an  abortion  —  as  long  as  workable  and  effective 
bypass  provisions  are  attached  to  such  laws. 

I  fully  support  these  views. 


4.  What  is  your  position  on  the  Freedom  of  Choice  Act? 

A:       I  support  the  principle  embodied  in  the  Freedom  of  Choice  Act  which  would 
codify  the  tenets  of  Roe  v.  Wade.  It  places  priority  on  the  health  of  women, 
which  is  the  standard  by  which  any  effort  to  regulate  abortion  must  be 
measured. 


5.  Do  you  support  the  "Hyde"  amendment  which  prohibits  the  expenditure  of 
federal  funds  for  abortion  except  in  those  cases  where  the  mother's  life  would  be 
endangered  if  the  fetus  was  carried  to  term? 

A:       The  Administration  does  not  support  the  "Hyde"  amendment  and  is 
working  with  congressional  leaders  to  facilitate  an  approach  that  is 
consistent  with  both  Federal  and  State  law. 

My  views  on  the  Hyde  amendment  are  consistent  with  the  Administration's 
position. 


6.  What  is  your  position  on  RU-486? 

A:       I  believe  that  we  should  work  to  make  RU-486  available  to  women  in  the 
United  States  when  it  is  proven  to  be  safe  and  effective.  However,  I 
understand  that  a  number  of  steps  must  be  taken  before  an  application  can  be 
filed,  and  FDA  approval  can  be  achieved. 


144 

7.  Is  it  true  that  you  once  described  pro-lifers  as  "very  religious  non-Christians" 
saying,  "Yeah,  they  love  little  babies,  as  long  as  they're  in  somebody  else's  uterus"? 
(Washington  Post,  2/16/93) 

A:  As  I  stated  during  the  hearing,  I  probably  referred  to  them  as  "the  right  to  life" 
groups  since  I  do  not  use  the  term  "pro-lifers"  and  I  probably  called  them  the 
"very  religious  non-Christian  right" 


8.  Is  it  true  that  you  later  said  pro-lifers  don't  support  programs  to  help  children 
because  they  believe:  "...  a  baby  is  God's  just  punishment  for  fornication?''  (Los 
Angeles  Times,  3/8/93)  And  that  you  authored  an  article  appearing  in  the  Berkeley 
Women's  Law  Journal  in  which  you  wrote:  "We  have  refused  to  make  a 
commitment  to  solving  the  crisis  of  teenage  motherhood  because  we  view 
pregnancy  as  just  punishment  for  the  sin  of  premarital  sex?" 

A:  The  Los  Angeles  Times  quotes  me  as  saying:  "Most  of  our  society  believes  a 
baby  is  God's  just  punishment  for  fornication.  Their  attitude  is,  I'm  not 
going  to  invest  in  this  baby  growing  up  healthy,  educated,  motivated  and 
with  hope.  I'm  going  to  keep  using  him  to  grind  in  that  punishment  for 
you.""  As  I  stated  during  the  hearing,  I  believe  I  restricted  it  to  a  narrow 
group. 

The  quote  from  the  law  journal  article  is  accurate. 

9.  Did  you  also  refer  to  persons  who  disagree  with  your  position  on  abortion  as 
"non-Christians  with  slave-master  mentalities"?  (American  Medical  News,  1/11/93) 

A:       To  the  best  of  my  recollection,  I  never  made  such  a  statement 

10.  At  a  pro-choice  rally  did  you  tell  pro-lifers  to:  "get  over  their  love  affair  with  the 
fetus  and  start  supporting  the  children?" 

A:  As  I  responded  during  the  hearing  to  this  question,  I  did  make  this  statement 
The  reason  I  used  the  reference  of  the  "love  affair  with  the  fetus"  is  because  I 
look  upon  it  as  an  affair,  a  short-term  commitment;  whereas  when  a  child  is 
bom,  it  is  a  lifetime  commitment 

11.  Did  you  refer  to  the  Catholic  Church  as  being  a  "celibate,  male-dominated 
church?"  (Arkansas  Democrat  Gazette,  1/19/93) 

A:  Yes.  I  made  the  statement  in  referring  to  groups  fighting  the  Roe  v.  Wade 
issue.  After  this  statement  drew  some  attention  in  the  media  in  Arkansas,  I 
went  to  meet  with  Bishop  Andrew  McDonald  to  explain  that  I  did  not  have 
any  preconceived  malice  or  intent  to  blaspheme  the  Roman  Catholic  Church. 
It  was  agreed  that  in  the  future  I  would  refer  to  the  church  as  "male- 
governed"  rather  than  "male-dominated."  I  later  sent  a  letter  of  apology  to 
Bishop  McDonald  to  that  effect 


12.  During  a  December  30,  1992  interview  with  Bryant  Gamble  you  are  quoted  as 
saying  that  you  don't  feel  any  of  us  are  "good  enough,  know  enough,  or  love 
enough  to  make  the  abortion  decision  for  anybody  else." 

Yet  you  have  previously  stated  that  as  a  physician  to  diabetic  teenagers  you  decided 
that  if  you  wanted  to  keep  those  kids  healthy  you  "had  no  choice  but  to  take 
command  of  their  sexuality  at  the  first  sign  of  puberty.  I'd  tell  them,  "You're  gonna 
have  two  good  babies,  and  I'm  gonna  decide  when  you're  gonna  have  them.'" 
(New  York  Times,  10/15/89).  Could  you  please  explain  that  statement? 


145 

A:  As  I  explained  during  the  hearing,  these  two  statements  were  never  stated 
together. 

The  first  statement  accurately  reflects  my  personal  opinion  on  the  abortion 
issue  Mr.  Gumble  had  asked  me  about  my  beliefs  on  abortion. 

The  second  statement  concerns  my  work  as  a  pediatric  endocrinologist  with 
juvenile  patients  with  insulin-dependent  diabetes.  It  was  in  this  work  that  I 
recognized  the  importance  of  being  candid  with  the  patient  and  their  parents 
about  sexual  matters.  A  diabetic  female  is  a  hazard  to  herself  and  her 
offspring  if  she  becomes  pregnant  at  too  early  an  age,  before  her  runaway 
endocrine  system  has  stabilized  and  her  diabetes  is  in  good  control.  I  wanted 
to  help  my  patients  have  healthy,  happy  babies  when  they  were  medically 
ready  to  have  them.  This  statement  concerned  family  planning,  not  abortion. 

13.  If  medicaid  does  not  pay  for  abortions,  does  not  pay  for  family  planning,  but  pays 
for  prenatal  care  and  delivery,  that  is  equivalent  to  saying  that  "I'll  pay  for  you  to 
have  another  good,  healthy  slave,  but  I  won't  pay  for  you  to  use  your  brain  and 
make  choices  for  yourself..Jt's  a  way  to  keep  people  poor,  ignorant  and  enslaved.  If 
your  are  poor  and  ignorant,  your  are  a  slave."  Would  you  please  explain  what  you 
meant  by  that  statement?  (American  Medical  News,  January  1993) 

A:  I  am  a  proponent  of  access  to  family  planning  services  for  poor  women  and 
preventing  pregnancy.  We  as  a  nation  focus  time  and  resources  on  health 
care  for  pregnant  women  and  their  children,  yet  do  not  focus  enough  on 
preventative  health  measures  such  as  family  planning  that  can  assist  women 
in  planning  or  delaying  their  pregnancies  until  they  are  best  able  to  care  for 
their  children. 

14.  Many  of  us  feel  a  great  sense  of  sorrow  at  the  prevalence  of  abortion  in  our 
society.  We  understand  how  difficult  a  choice  it  is  for  many  women,  and  also 
recognize  how  this  decision  can  permanently  affect  the  rest  of  their  lives.  Most 
believe  abortion  is  an  unfortunate  occurrence.  Yet  you  stated  during  your  testimony 
before  this  committee  on  the  Freedom  of  Choice  Act  that  "In  the  17  years  that 
abortion  has  been  legal  nationwide,  it  has  had  an  important  and  positive  public 
health  effect"  Do  you  really  believe  abortion  has  had  a  positive  effect? 

A:  After  I  made  that  statement,  I  explained  my  reasoning:  abortion  is  extremely 
safe;  now  that  abortions  are  legal,  women  are  having  them  earlier  -  thus, 
more  safely;  and  abortion  provides  an  option  to  families  at  high  risk  for 
genetic  defects.  I  concluded  my  testimony  by  stating  that  "it  is  an  important 
component  of  a  comprehensive  public  health  strategy  to  protect  and  promote 
the  health  of  women  _.  the  standard  by  which  any  effect  to  regulate  abortion 
must  be  measured." 

Let  me  reiterate  that  abortion  is  pail  of  a  comprehensive  health  strategy  for 


women. 


15  During  your  1990  testimony  before  this  Committee  on  the  Freedom  of  Choice 
Act  you  commented:  "Many  families  at  high  risk  are  willing  to  become  pregnant 
only  because  of  the  option  of  abortion.  Further,  abortion  has  rfrinflfl  thf  numt>er  gt 
rhnHron  afflicted  with  severe  Hofp^-  the  number  of  Down's  syndrome  infante  in 
W^hinptnn  state  LP  197ft  was  64  percent  lower  ftM  it  WOUM  JBM^ff0  W|th°Vt 
IfigaJ  abortion.  (FOCA  hearing,  Hders's  prepared  statement.  May  23, 1WUJ. 


146 

In  response  to  this  statement  the  National  Down's  Syndrome  Congress  has 
expressed  concern  and  believes  statements  of  this  sort  "raise  some  important 

questions  in  our  minds  as  to  her  qualification  for  the  position  of  Surgeon  General 

It  would  appear  from  her  testimony  and  written  statements  that  her  concern  is 
more  toward  the  cost  of  an  individual's  life  as  opposed  the  value  of  the  human  life. 
It  would  not  be  a  good  choice  to  have  the  Surgeon  General  of  the  United  States  of 
America  espousing  such  ideals." 

Do  you  really  believe,  as  your  statement  appears  to  indicate,  that  abortion  has  had  a 
positive  effect  in  that  it  has  reduced  the  number  of  children  with  Down's  Syndrome 
and  other  severe  defects? 

A:  As  I  stated  at  Friday's  hearing,  "As  a  physician,  I  value  all  human  life."  I  very 
much  support  these  children  and  their  families.  As  a  doctor  I  have  cared  for 
Down's  Syndrome  children,  and  I  have  a  beloved  Down's  Syndrome 
nephew.  I  know  that  these  children  are  delightful  and  lovable  -  and  that 
they  thrive  in  families  who  have  the  resources  and  wherewithal  to  care  for 
them. 

However,  I  was  testifying  for  the  Freedom  of  Choice  Act  -  and  I  feel  strongly 
that  ail  parents  should  have  the  choice  in  this  instance.  I  am  not  wise 
enough,  I  am  not  good  enough,  and  I  cannot  love  enough  to  make  this  choice 
for  them. 


16.  Would  you  explain  what  you  meant  when  you  said:  "Abortion  was  the  single 
most  important  factor  in  the  significant  decrease  in  neonatal  mortality  between  1964 
and  1977"? 

A:  I  was  citing  information  from  a  1981  article  in  Family  Planning  Perspectives 
that  found  that  "increased  availability  of  legal  abortion,  which  followed  the 
reform  of  restrictive  state  abortion  laws  in  the  late  1960s  and  the  1973 
Supreme  Court  decision,  was  the  most  important  factor  in  the  large  decreases 
in  neonatal  mortality  that  occurred  between  1964  and  1977." 

The  article  then  stated  that  "the  neonatal  death  rate  (the  number  of  deaths  in 
the  first  27  days  of  life  per  1,000  live  births)  fell  by  75  among  white  and  by  11.8 
among  blacks."  It  also  explained  that  neonatal  mortality  during  the  1964-1971 
period  was  "fueled  by  the  increase  in  the  percentage  of  low-income  women 
who  used  subsidized  planning  services  between  1965  and  1971  and  by  the 
dramatic  increase  in  th<>  legal  abortion  rate  between  1969  and  1971  (emphasis 
added).  The  acceleration  of  this  (trend]  —  during  the  1971-1977  period  was  due 
to  the  ...  explosion  of  the  abortion  rate  during  that  period." 

17.  In  July  21,  1993  the  New  York  Times  ran  an  article  entitled  "The  Chosen  Sex-a 
Special  Report".  In  it,  the  Times  reports  on  a  growing  problem  in  China  concerning 
sex-selection  abortions.  The  article  speaks  of  how  women  go  into  clinics  and 
through  the  use  of  ultrasound,  determine  the  sex  of  their  child.  Approximately  12% 
or  1.7  million  fetuses  are  being  aborted  every  year  in  China,  simply  because  the  child 
happens  to  be  the  wrong  sex,  a  female. 

Since  you  have  on  occasion  stated  that  you  oppose  restricting  a  woman's  access  to 
abortion  for  reasons  other  than  "medical  necessity"  would  you  support  a  woman's 
right  to  terminate  her  pregnancy  simply  because  the  child  was  the  wrong  sex?  Do 
you  consider  this  a  legitimate  form  of  family  planning? 


147 

I  support  the  principles  set  forth  in  Roe  v.  Wade  concerning  a  woman's  right 
to  choose. 

I  have  never  considered  abortion  as  a  means  of  family  planning.  To  me,  an 
abortion  is  a  failure  in  our  system  to  provide  women  with  sufficient  tools  to 
control  their  reproductive  cycles.  I  believe  in  preventing  unplanned 
pregnancies,  therefore,  eradicating  the  need  for  abortion. 

ADDRESS  TO  ARKANSAS  COALITION  FOR  CHOICE 


1.  Did  you  address  the  Arkansas  Coalition  for  Choice  on  January  18, 1992?  If  so,  did 
you  do  so  as  Director  of  the  Arkansas  Health  Department? 

A:        Yes,  I  did  address  the  Arkansas  Coalition  for  Choice  on  Saturday, 
January  18, 1992. 1  did  not  do  so  in  my  capacity  as  Director  of  the 
Arkansas  Department  of  Health. 

2.  Have  any  complaints  been  filed  against  you  for  violation  of  Arkansas  laws  which 
prohibit  such  actions  by  state  officials?  If  so,  what  was  your  response? 

A:        On  February  17, 1992  Westark  Christian  Action  Council  filed  a  written 
complaint  alleging  that  I  had  addressed  the  Arkansas  Coalition  for 
Choice  in  my  capacity  as  director  of  the  Arkansas  Health  Department, 
and  therefore  violated  the  Arkansas  State  Political  .Practices  Act  On 
March  13, 1992  County  Prosecutor  Mark  Stodola  completed  an 
investigation  of  the  matter  and  announced  that  there  had  been  no 
violation  of  state  law.  On  March  17, 1992  the  Westark  Christian  Action 
Council  filed  a  petition  in  the  Circuit  Court  of  Pulaski  County  seeking 
the  appointment  of  a  special  prosecutor  to  investigate  the 
circumstances  of  the  January  18, 1992  address.  On  May  26, 1992,  upon 
joint  motion  of  both  petitioner,  Westark  Christian  Action  Council  and 
myself,  I  was  dismissed  as  a  party  to  the  proceeding.  The  request  for  a 
special  prosecutor  was  dismissed  by  the  Circuit  Court  of  Pulaski 
County.  Petitioners  appealed  to  the  Supreme  Court  of  Arkansas,  but 
the  appeal  was  dismissed  because  the  case  was  moot 


3.  In  responding  to  any  suits  alleging  that  you  violated  Arkansas  law  by  addressing 
the  Arkansas  Coalition  for  Choice  on  January  18, 1992,  did  you  use  attorneys  paid  for 
by  the  state  of  Arkansas  to  defend  you? 

A:       Yes,  because  I  was  served  in  a  civil  action  alleging  that  I  had  acted 

improperly  under  color  of  my  office  I  did  use  the  services  of  attorneys 
employed  by  the  Arkansas  Department  of  Health  in  responding  to  the 
action  initiated  on  March  17, 1992. 


4.  What  is  the  status  of  any  suit  pending  against  you  alleging  you  violated  Arkansas 
law  for  speaking  to  the  Arkansas  Coalition  for  Choice  on  January  18, 1992? 

A:        On  April  19, 1993  Westark  Christian  Action  Council  filed  a  second 
petition  in  Pulaski  County  Circuit  Court  seeking  appointment  of  a 
special  prosecutor.  The  second  petition  was  substantially  similar  to  the 
petition  that  was  dismissed  in  1992.  It  is  my  understanding  that  no 
parties  have  been  served  in  this  action,  and  I  have  no  personal 
knowledge  of  the  status  of  this  proceeding. 


148 

5.  Have  petitions  been  filed  requesting  the  appointment  of  a  special  prosecutor  to 
bring  suit  against  you  for  alleged  violations  of  Arkansas  law  because  of  your  address 
to  the  Arkansas  Coalition  for  Choice?  If  so,  what  is  the  status  of  this  request? 

A:       On  March  17, 1992  the  Westark  Christian  Action  Council,  filed  a 

petition  seeking  die  appointment  of  a  special  prosecutor  to  investigate 
the  circumstances  of  the  January  18, 1992  address.  On  May  26, 1992, 
upon  joint  motion  of  both  petitioner,  Westark  Christian  Action 
Council  and  myself,  I  was  dismissed  as  a  party  to  the  proceeding.  The 
request  for  a  special  prosecutor  was  dismissed  by  the  Circuit  Court  of 
Pulaski  County.  Petitioners  appealed  to  the  Supreme  Court  of 
Arkansas,  but  the  appeal  was  dismissed  because  the  case  was  moot 

On  April  19, 1993  Westark  Christian  Action  Council  filed  a  second 
petition  in  Pulaski  County  Circuit  Court  seeking  appointment  of  a 
special  prosecutor  which  was  similar  to  the  petition  that  was  dismissed 
in  1992.  It  is  my  understanding  mat  no  parties  have  been  served  in  mis 
action,  and  I  have  no  personal  knowledge  of  the  status  of  this 
proceeding. 

6.  During  your  address  to  the  Arkansas  Coalition  for  Choice  on  January  18, 1992,  did 
you  make  the  following  statement 

"....  and  there  the  Church  was  silent  when  we  talked  about...  the  first  400  years  black 
people  had  their  freedom  aborted,  and  the  Church  said  nothing.  The  way  of  life  for 
Native  American  was  aborted;  the  Church  was  silent  We  attempted  to  eradicated  a 
whole  race  of  people  through  the  Holocaust,  and  the  Church  was  silent....  Women 
had  no  right  to  vote  for  years.  We  ask  why?  Why  do  these  things  go  on?...  Any  time 
the  right  of  choice  is  taken  away  from  all  of  us  and  put  into  the  hands  of  a  few,  these 
kinds  of  things  will  happen,  over  and  over  again.  Look  at  who's  fighting  the  pro- 
choice  movement  a  celibate,  male  dominated  church...." 

A:        Yes. 

7.  Were  you  ever  asked  to  publicly  apologize  for  the  above  statement?  If  so,  did  you 
publicly  apologize?  When  and  where? 

A:       Yes,  I  was  asked  to  apologize  by  a  priest  I  discussed  this  with  Bishop 
Andrew  McDonald  and  my  brother  (who  is  a  minister).  I  explained 
mat  I  did  not  have  any  preconceived  malice  or  intent  to  blaspheme  the 
Roman  Catholic  Church.  It  was  agreed  that  in  the  future  I  would  refer 
to  the  church  as  "male-governed"  rather  than  "male-dominated."  I 
later  sent  a  letter  of  apology  to  Bishop  McDonald  to  that  effect 

CONDOM  ADVERTISEMENTS 

1.  Do  you  support  advertising  condoms  on  television? 

When  asked  if  as  Surgeon  General  you  would  target  networks  for  their  continued 
refusal  to  air  condom  ads,  you  responded,  "I  most  certainly  wilL  You  know,  I  feel 
we  air  everything  else  and  I  feel  that  the  media  -  I  feel  that  the  media  can  make 
very,  very  significant  impact  on  the  attitudes  of  America."  The  Reuter  Transcript 
Rept  December  30, 1992 


149 

A:  I  do  support  advertising  condoms  on  television.  I  believe  if  we  advertise 
feminine  napkins  and  douches,  we  can  also  tastefully  advertise  condoms. 
We  need  to  make  condoms  an  every  day  item  of  personal  hygiene  for  people 
who  choose  to  be  sexually  active  outside  of  a  monogamous  relationship. 
Otherwise,  we  are  never  going  to  successfully  fight  the  spread  of  AIDS. 

During  my  time  in  Arkansas,  one  of  the  television  stations  devoted  all  of  its 
public  services  announcements  to  the  issue  of  teen  pregnancy.  Its  campaign 
was  very  tastefully  done  and  had  a  major  impact  on  the  public  perception  of 
this  issue  The  station  received  a  Regional  Emmy  Award,  the  George  Peabody 
Award  and  the  Edward  R  Murrow  Award  for  their  work. 

We  are  not  doing  a  very  good  job  at  promoting  condoms.  If  confirmed,  I  will 
work  to  increase  the  acceptability  of  condoms  among  all  populations  within 
our  country  by  using  every  tool  available,  including  the  media.  I  feel  very 
strong  about  this. 

CONTRACEPTIVES 


1.  You  have  had  a  lot  to  say  about  condoms.  Given  the  fact  that  condoms  have  been 
promoted,  distributed  and  made  available  more  in  the  last  several  years  than  in 
their  entire  history,  why  is  it  that  sexually  transmitted  diseases,  teen  pregnancies, 
and  AIDS  continue  to  increase? 

A:  Yes,  adolescent  pregnancies,  sexually  transmitted  diseases,  and  AIDS  continue 
to  be  problems.  And  yes,  condoms  are  promoted,  distributed  and  made 
available  more  than  ever.  However,  1)  condoms  are  not  used  by  all  couples,  2) 
condoms  are  not  used  properly  or  consistently  by  all  couples,  and  3)  condoms 
can  be  defective  or  break.  No  form  of  contraception  is  100%  effective  except 
abstinence,  and  I  do  support  abstinence,  especially  for  adolescents.  However, 
for  those  persons  who  choose  to  be  sexually  active,  I  have  advocated  the  use 
of  condoms  in  promoting  "safer  sex." 

Z  Grady  and  Cowarker  report  that  condoms  have  an  18%  failure  rate  for  pregnancy 
among  teenagers  (and  this  doesn't  even  count  all  the  pregnancies  that  were 
aborted).  This  means  that  when  the  failure  rate  is  that  bad,  one  in  five  girls  who 
depend  on  condoms  ends  up  pregnant  An  editorial  appearing  in  Postgraduate 
Medicine,  written  by  its  editor-in-chief.  Glen  C  Griffin,  MD  states.  The  only  really 
safe  sex  is  between  two  faithful  marriage  partners  who  are  free  of  sexually 
transmitted  diseases."  Dr  Griffin  says  kids  need  to  know  that  "this  no-risk  sex  is 
worth  waiting  for."  Do  you  agree  with  his  statement?  If  so,  how  will  you  promote 
truly  "safe  sex"  as  surgeon  general? 

A:  I  agree  that  "no-risk  sex  is  worth  waiting  for."  However,  I  believe  in  facing 
facts,  and  the  reality  is  that  some  persons  choose  to  have  sex  in  other  than 
mutually  monogamous  relationships.  For  those  persons,  I  would  offer  the 
same  advice  as  my  predecessor,  Dr.  Koop.  That  is,  in  the  absence  of  such  a 
relationship,  both  parties  should  protect  themselves  and  use  condoms. 

3.  Is  the  transmission  of  Chlamydia  infection  prevented  by  condoms?  What  is  the 
rate  of  Chlamydia  infection  among  teenagers?  What  are  the  consequences  of  a 
Chlamydia  infection  for  a  teenager? 

A:  The  transmission  of  Chlamydia  trachomatis  infection  is  prevented  by  latex 
condoms  used  correctly  and  consistently.  Judson,  et.  al.  found  no  leakage 


150 

when  50  unlubricated  standard  latex  condoms  with  a  receptacle  "end  with  10 
ml  pooled  suspensions  of  Chlamydia  Trachomatis  were  subjected  to  vigorous 
simulated  "intercourse"  in  an  in  vitro  setting.  (Condoms  in  the  Prevention  Of 
Sexually  Transmitted  Diseases.  American  Social  Health  Association, 
December  1989.)  The  CDC,  Division  of  Sexually  Transmitted  Disease  and  HTV 
Prevention  concurs  that  latex  condoms  prevent  transmission  of  Chlamydia 
trachomatis. 

The  rate  of  Chlamydia  trachomatis  infection  is  10-15  percent  nationwide. 
Data  is  not  recorded  nationally  in  an  age  specific  manner. 

Infection  with  Chlamydia  trachomatis  can  result  in  pelvic  inflammatory 
disease  (PTD),  sterility,  ectopic  pregnancy,  and  neonatal  pneumonia. 

4.  What  is  the  human  papilloma  virus  and  its  associated  consequences?  Is  this 
transmission  of  human  papilloma  virus  prevented  by  condoms?  What  percent  of 
sexually  active  teens  carry  this  virus?  Is  it  curable? 

A:  There  are  many  types  of  the  human  papilloma  virus  (HPV).  Types  6  and  11 
are  associated  with  what  is  commonly  known  as  genital  warts,  which  may  be 
permanently  removed  in  an  office  setting.  HPV  types  16  and  18  have  been 
associated  with  cervical  dysplasia  and  malignancies.  There  are  many 
procedures  and  treatments  for  cervical  dysplasia  and  early  stages  of 
malignancies  which  attain  cure.  Transmission  of  HPV  is  prevented  by 
condoms,  according  to  the  Division  of  STD/HTV  Prevention,  CDCP.  Ten  to 
fifteen  percent  of  sexually  active  teens  carry  HPV. 

DEFECTIVE  CONDOMS 

1.  According  to  documents  obtained  from  the  FDA,  the  Arkansas  Department  of 
Health  had  repeated  problems  with  condoms  that  it  was  obtaining  from  its  sole 
supplier,  Ansell,  Inc.  When  did  your  agency  begin  purchasing  condoms  from 
Ansell? 

A.       The  relevant  Arkansas  Department  of  Health  records  are  not  available  prior 
to  1988,  by  which  time  the  Department  was  purchasing  condoms  from  Ansell. 
I  believe  that  the  Department  had  been  purchasing  Ansell  condoms  for 
several  years  before  1988. 

2.  Did  any  problem  with  the  condoms  surface  before  December  1990? 

A.       I  know  of  no  reported  or  documented  complaint  about  the  Ansell 
condoms  at  the  Arkansas  Department  of  Health  prior  to  December, 
1990. 


3.  In  December  1990,  a  high  school  clinic  in  your  state  returned  50  condoms  to  your 
department  These  condoms  had  been  supplied  to  the  school  by  your  health 
department  and  were  returned  by  the  school  because  of  complaints  of  breakage.  An 
official  with  your  agency  sent  the  condoms  back  to  the  manufacturer.    What  efforts 
did  your  department  make  to  notify  high  school  children  who  had  received 
condoms  from  that  batch  of  the  problems  that  had  been  detected?  Were  the 
students  asked  to  return  the  condoms  to  the  school-based  clinic  and  receive 
replacements?  If  not,  why  was  the  decision  taken  to  let  students  use  condoms  from 
a  batch  that  the  clinic  believed  had  unacceptably  high  levels  of  defects? 


151 

A.       The  Arkansas  Department  of  Health  began  distributing  Ansell 
condoms  years  before  December,  1990.  The  product  typically  was 
distributed  with  3  packages  to  a  unit  48  units  to  a  box,  10  boxes  to  a  case. 
Each  case,  then,  contained  approximately  1044  condoms.  The  first 
reported  complaint  to  the  Arkansas  Department  of  Health  occurred  in 
December,  1990.  The  Department  of  Health  returned  50  condoms  to 
Ansell  due  to  a  high  school  clinic's  complaint  to  the  Department  about 
"breakage".  That  clinic's  communication  to  the  Department  was  based 
on  one  student's  report  of  his  experience.  The  number  of  condoms 
distributed  at  that  clinic  and  the  number  of  those  which  were  not 
defective  does  not  appear  in  the  records  of  the  Arkansas  Department  of 
Health.    When  notified  of  the  student's  experience,  Ansell  replied  that 
the  condoms  had  been  manufactured  to  meet  product  specifications 
and  had  passed  a  quality  control  test  prior  to  distribution  Ansell 
reported  to  the  Department  that  no  other  complaints  had  been  received 
on  these  condoms.  Therefore,  in  December,  1990,  there  was  insufficient 
basis  on  which  to  notify  users  that  there  had  been  a  complaint  about 
breakage  and/or  that  all  users  should  return  condoms  to  the  school- 
based  clinic 


4.  Similar  problems  continued  to  be  reported  in  clinics  throughout  your  state. 
Generally,  your  department  handled  these  problems  by  exchanging  one  batch  of 
condoms  for  another  made  by  the  same  manufacturer.  Did  your  agency  also  notify 
people  who  already  had  received  the  condoms  about  the  potential  hazards? 

A.       Between  December,  1990  (when  one  clinic  reported  a  breakage  problem) 
and  February,  1992  (when  a  county  health  unit  reported  another),  to 
my  knowledge,  the  Arkansas  Department  of  Health  received  nfi  reports 
of  breakage  in  the  condoms  it  distributed.    From  February,  1992  until 
Ansell  instituted  a  nationwide  recall  of  its  product  in  September,  1992, 
there  was  only  one  occasion  (in  addition  to  the  instance  prompted  by 
the  December,  1990  communication)  in  which  Ansell  replaced  the 
condoms  previously  supplied  to  the  Department  of  Health.  The 
replacement  supply  consisted  of  a  different,  stronger  condom  than  the 
ones  previously  purchased  by  the  Department  of  Health.  In  February, 
1992,  there  was  insufficient  basis  on  which  to  notify  users  not  to  use  the 
Ansell  condom. 


5.  On  June  24, 1992,  the  Baxter  County  Health  Unit  notified  an  official  in  your 
department  that  "three  successive  HTV  antibody  test  clients  who  were  issued 
Lifestyle  condoms  during  their  pre-test  counseling  stated  that  the  condoms  broke  in 
every  use."  This  occurred  at  least  18  months  after  your  department  had  been 
informed  of  serious  problems  with  condoms  from  this  manufacturer.  Did  your 
agency  alert  other  clients  who  had  been  tested  for  HIV  infection  that  the  condoms 
the  clinic  was  distributing  had  high  failure  rates? 

A.       The  December,  1990  report  of  "breakage"  made  no  reference  to  or 

finding  of  "serious  problems  with  condoms  from  this  manufacturer." 
There  were  no  reports  to  the  Department  about  condom  failure  during 
1991.  During  1992,  the  Department  of  Health  was  seeking  to  collect  the 
experience  in  the  State  with  Ansell  condoms.  That  process  was . 

ongoing  during  June,  and  thus  no  notification  of  "high  failure  rates" 
was  indicated. 


152 

6.  Throughout  much  of  1991,  the  state  legislature  engaged  in  a  rather  contentious 
debate  over  the  question  of  whether  school-based  clinics  should  dispense  condoms. 
During  this  same  period,  your  clinics  were  experiencing  serious  problems  of 
breakage  and  leakage  with  the  condoms  that  it  was  distributing  to  the  public  Had 
your  agency  made  a  conscientious  effort  to  notify  persons  who  had  received 
condoms  from  your  clinics  to  this  fact,  what  effect  would  this  have  had  on  the 
legislature's  deliberations? 

A.       During  all  of  1991,  to  my  knowledge,  the  "Department  of  Health 
received  no  reports  of  breakage  or  leakage  in  the  use  of  Ansell 
condoms  distributed  by  the  State.  I  do  not  know  what  the  effect  on  the 
legislative  debate  would  have  been  had  the  Department  experienced 
serious  problems  with  the  condoms  and  reported  that  fact  to  the 
Arkansas  legislature. 

7.  Eventually,  the  FDA  approved  a  seizure  of  every  condom  that  your  agency  had 
purchased  from  Ansell,  Inc.  The  FDA  never  went  through  with  the  seizure,  nor  did 
it  order  a  recall    Instead,  it  suggested  that  you  return  condoms  still  in  your 
inventory  to  the  manufacturer.   At  this  point,  having  returned  all  of  your  stock  of 
Ansell  condoms  to  the  manufacturer,  did  you  instruct  your  state  public  health 
clinics  to  notify  people  who  already  had  received  condoms  of  the  possible  defects? 

A.       On  August  12, 1992,  the  Nashville  office  of  the  Food  and  Drug 

Administration  recommended  a  seizure  of  Ansell  products.  That 
seizure  would  have  affected  only  those  products  actually  tested  in 
Arkansas  and  found  defective  Other  Ansell  products  —  those  that  had 
not  specifically  been  tested  in  Arkansas  or  elsewhere  in  the  nation  — 
would  not  have  been  affected  by  a  seizure.  A  recall,  but  not  a  seizure, 
can  reach  product  beyond  that  actually  tested  and  found  deficient 

On  August  28, 1992,  the  Center  for  Devices  and  Radiological  Health 
within  FDA  concurred  with  the  Nashville  FDA  office's 
recommendation  for  a  seizure.  On  September  3, 1992,  before  the  seizure 
decision  was  finally  endorsed  and  implemented,  Ansell  wrote  to  FDA 
announcing  that  it  would  recall  die  product  nationally.  Customers  in 
twenty-seven  states  plus  Guam  and  the  District  of  Columbia  were 
contacted  by  the  manufacturer  and  returned  to  Ansell  their  supplies  of 

the  product  The  manufacturer  destroyed  the  returned  condoms  on 
April  8, 1993. 

To  my  knowledge,  Arkansas  was  the  only  Department  of  Health  that 
brought  to  FDA's  attention  its  experience  with  Ansell  condoms. 

Meanwhile,  on  July  21, 1992,  the  Department  of  Health  wrote  to  all 
Area  Managers  of  the  Department  regarding  the  Ansell  condoms. 
Among  the  instructions  to  the  Managers  was  the  following:  "1. 
Review  with  the  client  the  reasons  for  condom  breakage  ....  Most 
breakage  problems  can  be  solved  with  a  review  of  proper  handling  and 
use.  2.  If  no  explanation  is  evident  have  the  client  return  any  unused 
condoms  and  send  them  to  the  Department  of  Health  for  testing." 

8.  Did  your  agency,  at  any  time  during  the  19-month  period  of  time  during  which 
you  experienced  repeated  problems  with  condoms  purchased  from  Ansell,  make 
any  effort  to  notify  people  who  had  obtained  condoms  from  your  clinics,  including 
school-based  clinics,  of  these  problems?  Did  your  agency  undertake  any  program  to 
ask  people  who  had  been  given  these  condoms  that  they  should  return  them  to 
your  clinics  and  exchange  them  for  more  reliable  condoms? 


153 

A.        As  noted  earlier,  there  was  not  a  period  of  19  months  in  which  the 

Department  of  Health  "experienced  repeated  problems  with  condoms 
purchased  from  Ansell...".  As  also  noted  earlier,  in  July,  1992,  the 
Department  notified  all  Area  Managers  to  "...have  the  client  return 
any  unused  condoms". 

9.  Throughout  much  of  1991,  the  Arkansas  legislature  debated  whether  to  continue 
the  Health  Department's  program  of  dispensing  contraceptives  to  high  school 
students.  Did  you  at  any  time  notify  lawmakers  that  your  agency  was  distributing 
defective  condoms  to  high  school  students  under  this  program? 

A.       I  did  not  notify  lawmakers  in  1991  about  the  condoms  the  Department 
of  Health  was  distributing.  As  noted  earlier,  to  my  knowledge,  the 
Department  had  no  reports  of  breakage  or  leakage  involving  Ansell 
condoms  during  all  of  1991. 


10.  Did  you  at  any  time  notify  the  Governor  of  the  fact  that  your  clinics  were 
dispensing  defective  condoms?  If  so,  when?  What  steps,  if  any,  did  he  direct  you  to 

take  to  ensure  the  safety  of  people  who  had  received  condoms  from  your  clinics? 
Did  he  direct  you  to  notify  people  who  had  received  condoms  from  your  clinics  to 
return  them  in  exchange  for  more  reliable  condoms? 

A.       I  did  not  notify  the  Governor  when  I  received  reports  about  condoms 
from  local  or  area  health  units.  I  did  not  notify  the  Governor  that 
there  were  no  reported  problems  with  the  Ansell  condoms  during 
1991.  The  Governor  did  not,  then,  give  me  directions  regarding  the 
distribution  of  condoms. 


FAMILY  PLANNING 


1.  It  was  recently  announced  that  Baltimore  City  Schools  are  expected  to  be  the  first 
in  the  nation  to  offer  Norplant,  a  surgically  implanted  contraceptive,  to  teenage 
girls.  The  drug  is  expected  to  be  offered  to  students  at  Laurence  Paquin  Middle  and 
High  School,  and  will  eventually  be  expanded  to  the  six  high  schools  that  have 
school-based  health  clinics  on  campus. 

a.  Do  you  support  the  distribution  of  Norplant  to  this  population? 

A:  Norplant,  a  new  implantable  hormonal,  long-term  contraceptive,  has  been 
approved  by  the  Food  and  Drug  Administration  as  safe  for  use  as  a 
contraceptive  method  in  the  United  States.  Local  community  groups  have  a 
right  to  provide  voluntary  contraceptive  services  to  sexually  active 
individuals  in  compliance  with  any  relevant  Federal,  State  or  local 
requirements,  including  informed  consent  requirements. 

b.  Given  the  drug's  short  history,  do  you  believe  these  minor  girls  should  have  to 
obtain  parental  consent  before  implanted  with  Norplant? 

A:  Norplant  has  been  approved  by  the  FDA  as  a  safe,  reversible  family  planning 
method.  These  inserts  can  be  removed  through  a  simple,  outpatient 
procedure.  As  with  all  other  contraceptive  services  provided  to  adolescents 
through  the  Title  X  national  family  planning  program,  Norplant  is  available 
to  adolescents  who  request  such  services  on  a  confidential  basis.  I  would 
however  urge  parents  to  become  involved  with  their  children's  decisions 
whenever  practicable. 


154 

c  If  you  do  not  support  parental  consent  before  Norplant  is  distributed  to  minor 
girls/do  you  at  least  support  parental  notification  before  this  new  drug  is 

distributed? 

A:  There  are  no  Federal  laws  that  require  parental  consent  or  notification  for  the 
provision  of  contraceptive  services  to  minors,  nor  would  I  recommend  that 
Norplant  be  singled  out  for  such  a  requirement 

d.  Would  you  support  using  federal  funds  for  this  type  of  distribution? 

A:  Funding  for  the  provision  of  Norplant  is  currendy  available  through  various 
Federal  programs  including  Medicaid  and  the  Title  X  national  family 
planning  program.  Title  X  specifically  requires  that  all  family  planning 
services  to  adolescents  be  provided  in  a  confidential  manner,  and  prohibits 
parental  consent  or  notification  requirements  for  the  provision  of  such 
services. 

e.  What  if  any  restrictions  would  you  place  before  federal  funds  could  be  used  to 
distribute  Norplant  to  minors? 

(see  above  response) 

2.  Section  1008  of  the  Public  Health  Service  Act  implementing  the  title  X  Family 
Planning  Act  provides  that  "None  of  the  funds  appropriated  under  this  Title  shall 
be  used  in  programs  were  abortion  is  a  method  family  planning." 

a.  How  do  you  interpret  this  section  of  the  law,  which  has  not  been  altered  since 
1970? 

A:  The  Tide  X  statute  has  always  prohibited  the  use  of  funds  for  abortion.  The 
Department  of  Health  and  Human  Services  is  not  seeking  any  change  in  that 
prohibition. 

b.  Do  you  support  regulations  know  as  the  "Gag  rule"  which  aim  to  separate 
abortion  related  activities  from  federally  supported  family  planning  activities.  If 
not,  do  you  support  any  limitation  on  the  ability  of  clinics  receiving  federal  funds  to 
counsel  or  refer  women  for  abortion  in  federally  funded  Tide  X  clinics? 

A:  I  support  the  President's  position  as  expressed  in  his  January  22 
Memorandum  in  which  he  directed  the  Department  to  suspend  the  so-called 
"eae  rule"  and  promulgate  new  regulations  to  implement  Section  10O8  in 
accordance  with  the  notice  and  comment  procedures  of  the  Administrative 
Procedures  Act 

Under  suspension  of  the  "gag  rule".  Title  X  family  planning  projects  must 
provide  information  on  all  pregnancy  options  for  managing  an  unintended 
pregnancy  when  asked  by  a  client 

c  Do  you  view  the  federal  family  planning  program  as  preventive  in  nature? 

A-  Yes  family  planning  is  our  best  means  of  planning  pregnancies  and  avoiding 
the  need  for  abortion,  and  I  support  making  family  planning  services  more 
accessible. 


155 

d.  Do  you  think  it  is  important  to  separate  abortion  activities  from  legitimate  family 
planning  or  preventive  activities?  How  do  you  propose  to  separate  abortion 
activities  from  legitimate  family  planning  activities? 

A:  Under  suspension  of  the  "gag  rule",  grantees  must  comply  with  section  1008, 
with  the  "Title  X  guidelines,  and  with  the  program  policies  developed  since 
the  inception  of  the  program  that  were  jn  effect  prior  to  1988  dealing  with  the 
interpretation  of  the  abortion  restrictions  in  Tide  X  A  statement  published 
by  the  Department  in  the  Federal  Register  on  June  23,  1993  announced  the 
availability  of  a  summary  of  pre-1988  policies.  This  summary  outlines  the 
standards  to  be  applied  to  insure  sufficient  separation  of  abortion  activities 
from  Title  X  activities. 


e  Should  Title  X  clinics  be  permitted  to  perform  abortion  on  the  same  site  as  the 
federally  funded  Title  X  clinics? 

A:  Under  suspension  of  the  "gag  rule",  the  title  X  program  is  operating  under 
program  policies  that  were  in  effect  prior  to  1988  which  require  that  projects 
maintain  some  degree  of  separation  from  abortion  activities.  A  statement 
published  by  the  Department  in  the  Federal  Register  on  June  23,  1993 
announced  the  availability  of  a  summary  of  pre-1988  policies.  This  policy 
summary  states,  "separation  of  Title  X  from  abortion  activities  does  not 
require  separate  grantees  or  even  a  separate  health  facility,  but  separate 
bookkeeping  entries  alone  will  not  satisfy  the  spirit  of  the  law."  I  believe  this 
is  a  reasonable  approach  but  I  would  like  to  reserve  my  final  opinion  until 

the  comment  period  has  closed  and  comments  on  this  and  other  policy 
positions  are  analyzed. 


f.  Should  personnel  whose  salaries  are  supported  by  federal  funding  be  permitted  to 
work  in  abortion  related  activities  at  the  same  site? 

A:  Under  suspension  of  the  "gag  rule",  the  title  X  program  is  operating  under 
program  policies  that  were  in  effect  prior  to  1988  which  require  that  projects 
maintain  some  degree  of  separation  from  abortion  activities.  A  statement  of 
those  policies  which  was  published  by  the  Department  in  the  Federal  Register 
on  June  23,  1993  announced  the  availability  of  a  summary  pre-1988  policies. 
This  policy  summary  states,  "Similarly,  common  staff  is  permissible,  so  long 
as  salaries  are  properly  allocated  and  all  abortion-relation  activities  of  staff 
members  are  performed  in  a  program  which  is  entirely  separate  from  the 
Title  X  project  I  believe  this  is  a  reasonable  policy  but  I  would  like  to  reserve 
my  final  opinion  until  the  regulation  comment  period  has  closed  and 
comments  on  this  and  other  policy  positions  have  been  analyzed. 


3.  Since  its  involvement  in  funding  contraceptives  and  family  planning,  the  Federal 
government  has  invested  over  $2  billion  to  curb  teenage  pregnancy.  Yet  the  rate  of 
teenage  pregnancy  and  sexually  transmitted  diseases  afflicting  teens  continues  to 
grow. 

Many  experts  feel  it  is  time  for  us  to  admit  that  this  approach  has  not  yielded  the 
returns  we  had  hoped  for,  and  to  recognize  that  we  have  focused  on  the  symptom  of 
teen  pregnancy  rather  than  the  root,  which  is  teen  sexual  activity. 

a.  What,  if  anything,  will  you  direct  the  Department  of  Health  and  Human  Services 
to  do  to  curb  the  rate  of  teen  sexual  activity? 


156 

b.  What  role  should  abstinence  education  play  in  this  effort? 

A:  Abstinence  education,  including  teaching  resistance  and  decisionmaking 
skills,  is  obviously  an  important  part  of  any  sexuality  education  program, 
especially  when  targeting  younger  adolescents.  I  would  expect  such  a 
component  to  be  included  in  comprehensive  school  health  education 
programs.  _ 

MARIJUANA 


1.  Do  you,  as  the  press  has  reported,  support  a  physician's  right  to  prescribe 
marijuana  for  their  patients,  if  it  would  be  "beneficial"? 
(The  Salisbury  Post,  December  20, 1992) 

A.       If  the  Department  of  Health  and  Human  Services  concludes  that  the 
use  of  marijuana  for  therapeutic  purposes  is  beneficial.  Research  is 
currendy  being  performed  as  to  the  therapeutic  benefits  of  marijuana 
for  such  diseases  as  glaucoma,  cancer,  and  AIDS.  I  believe  the  Secretary 
is  planning  to  review  the  issue  of  marijuana's  use  for  those  purposes.  I 
support  such  a  review  and  would,  therefore,  defer  a  conclusive 
statement  on  the  matter  until  the  review  has  been  completed. 


2.  Are  you  aware  that  Federal  drug  agencies  prohibit  marihuana's  medical  use 
because  smoking  it  may  cause  lung  cancer,  may  damage  brain  cells  and  compromise 
the  immune  and  reproductive  systems? 

A.        I  am  aware  of  the  health  risks  associated  with  marijuana. 


3.  Would  you  use  your  office  as  Surgeon  General  to  promote  marijuana's 
"medicinal  uses"? 

A.        Again,  I  would  await  the  results  of  the  Secretary's  planned  review 
before  reaching  any  conclusions  on  the  matter. 


MERCY  NURSING  HOME 
1.  Did  the  Mercy  Nursing  Home  provide  home  health  services? 

A:        No. 


2.  Was  Audrey  Ruffin  ever  employed  or  connected  with  the  Mercy  Nursing  Home? 
Is  so,  would  her  health  care  have  been  regulated  in  any  way  by  the  Arkansas 
Department  of  Health? 

A:        Ms.  Ruffin  at  one  time  was  employed  by  the  Mercy  Nursing  Home.  Her 
health  care  was  not  regulated  in  any  way  be  the  ADH 


157 

3.  Could  you  please  explain  the  Arkansas  Department  of  Health's  involvement  in 
the  provision  of  home  health  services? 

A:       The  ADH  provides  home  health  care  services  in  all  but  six  counties  in 

Arkansas.  These  services  include  providing  nurses,  nurses  aids  and  licensed 
practical  nurses  to  assist  in  the  patient's  home  as  ordered  by  the  attending 
physician. 


4.  Please  explain  how  the  ADH  operates  its  home  health  agency. 

A:       ADH  operates  its  home  health  agency  under  a  certificate  of  need  for  each 
county  in  which  it  provides  services.  Payments  must  be  approved  by 
Medicare,  as  they  must  be  for  any  other  home  health  agency. 


5.  When  did  you  first  become  employed  by  the  Mercy  Nursing  Home? 

A:       I  first  became  employed  by  the  Mercy  Nursing  Home  in  or  about  1959,  while  I 
was  still  a  medical  student 


6.  What  was  your  position  at  the  Mercy  Nursing  Home?  Please  describe  your 
responsibilities  and  activities  at  the  nursing  home 

A:       When  I  was  first  employed  at  the  Mercy  Nursing  Home,  I  worked  under  the 
supervision  of  a  licensed  doctor  to  provide  any  needed  medical  care  to  the 
residents.  In  or  about  the  late  1960s,  I  became  the  Medical  Director  of  the 
nursing  home.  In  that  capacity,  I  oversaw  the  medical  procedures  at  the 
nursing  home,  referred  patients  as  needed  to  outside  physicians  for  medical 
care,  and  otherwise  supervised  the  medical  needs  of  die  residents. 


7.  As  Director  of  the  Arkansas  Department  of  Health  (ADH),  did  you  play  any 
regulatory  role  with  respect  to  nursing  homes? 

A:       The  ADH  does  not  play  any  regulatory  role  with  respect  to  nursing  homes. 

8.  What  financial  responsibilities  did  you  have  in  relation  to  nursing  homes  as 
Director  the  ADH? 

A:       As  Director  of  ADH,  I  had  no  financial  responsibilities  in  relation  to  nursing 
homes.  See  response  to  Question  7  above. 


9.  What  state  or  federal  assistance  would  the  Mercy  Nursing  Home  have  received? 

A:       The  Mercy  Nursing  Home  would  have  received  Medicare  and  Medicaid 
payments,  as  do  most  nursing  homes  in  the  state. 


10.  According  to  a  letter  from  the  ADH  dated  April  18, 1989,  (Appendix  A),  the 
ADH's  home  health  agency  operates  on  "'reimbursements  from  Medicare  and 
Medicaid,"  among  other  public  funds.  Do  you  see  any  conflict  of  interest  in 
receiving  a  salary  from  a  nursing  home,  while  simultaneously  serving  as  the 
Director  of  the  ADH? 


158 

A-       I  saw  no  conflict  of  interest  whatsoever  in  receiving  a  salary  from  a  nursing 
home  while  simultaneously  serving  as  the  Director  of  ADH.  As  noted  in 
response  to  question  7,  ADH  did  not  regulate  nursing  homes.  The  fact  that 
ADH  has  a  home-health  agency  that  operates  on  "reimbursements  from 
Medicare  and  Medicaid"  did  not  in  my  judgment  create  a  conflict  of  interest 

11  During  testimony  before  the  Committee,  you  indicated  that  you  served 
simultaneously  as  Director  of  the  ADH  and  as  the  medical  director  of  the  Mercy 
Nursing  Home  for  "-nine  months  or  so."  You  stated  that  the  nursing  home  closed 
only  "...months  after  (you)  became  health  director".  You  became  Director  of  the 
ADH  in  October  1987,  yet  your  1989  financial  disclosure  indicates  you  were  still  being 
paid  by  the  Mercy  Nursing  home  in  1989.  Did  you  hold  both  of  these  positions 
simultaneously  for  only  nine  months?  Please  clarify. 

A:       I  do  not  have  any  record  of  precisely  when  I  ceased  working  as  the  Medical 

Director  of  the  Mercy  Nursing  Home.  As  best  I  now  recall  I  ceased  working  at 
the  Mercy  Nursing  Home  in  or  about  November  1989  or  until  all  patients 
requiring  nursing  home  care  were  transferred  to  other  facilities.  The 
disclosure  form  filed  in  1989  listed  my  salary  for  the  1988  calendar  year.  The 
form  that  would  have  been  filed  in  1990  would  have  reflected  the  Mercy 
Nursing  Home  income  received  in  calendar  year  1989. 

At  the  time  of  the  hearing,  I  was  under  the  impression  that  the  nursing  home 
had  closed  in  1988.  Upon  reflection,  I  believed  that  the  nursing  home  may 
have  dosed  in  1989. 

12.  Were  there  any  contractual  agreements  between  the  State  of  Arkansas  and  Mercy 
Nursing  Home? 

A:       I  have  no  knowledge  of  any  contractual  agreements  between  the  State  of 
Arkansas  and  Mercy  Nursing  Home.  The  Mercy  Nursing  Home  had  a 
certificate  of  need  issued  by  the  state  of  Arkansas. 

13.  As  Director  of  the  ADH,  did  you  ever  file  any  recusals  with  respect  to  Mercy 
Nursing  Home? 

A:       I  do  not  recall  any  issues  that  related  in  any  fashion  to  the  Mercy  Nursing 
Home  coming  before  me  as  Director  of  the  ADH.  As  a  result,  I  have  no 
recollection  of  ever  filing  a  recusal  with  respect  to  the  Mercy  Nursing  Home. 


14.  Was  Audrey  Ruffin  ever  an  employee  of  the  Mercy  Nursing  Home?  If  so,  was 
this  at  the  time  that  she  was  employed  to  care  for  Leona  Elders? 

A:       As  I  stated  in  response  to  Question  2,  Ms.  Ruffin  was  at  one  time  an  employee 
of  the  Mercy  Nursing  Home  I  do  not  recall  whether  she  may  have  continued 
to  work  there  on  a  part  time  basis  after  she  was  hired  by  my  father-in-law  to 
care  for  Mrs.  Elders  in  the  summer  of  1988. 

15.  According  to  the  Associated  Press,  Mercy  Nursing  Home's  85  beds  were  assigned 
to  another  facility.  What  facility  was  the  Mercy  Nursing  Home  assigned  to?  What 
role,  if  any,  did  the  ADH  have  in  this  assignment? 

A:        The  Mercy  Nursing  Home  sold  its  certificate  of  need  to  another  facility.   ADH 
had  no  role  in  this  sale. 


159 

NATIONAL  BANK  OF  ARKANSAS 


1.  You  testified  on  Friday  that  you  had  been  reprimanded  by  the  Comptroller  of  the 
Currency  as  a  director  of  the  National  Bank  of  Arkansas  ("NBA").  You  further 
testified  that  the  Comptroller  of  the  Currency  found  that  you  and  your  fellow 
directors  did  not,  in  the  opinion  of  bank  examiners,  take  adequate  action  to  correct 
the  activities  of  bank  management  that  had  previously  been  cited.  What  unsafe  and 
unsound  banking  activities  was  the  management  cited  for? 

A:        Management  of  the  NBA  was  cited  by  the  Comptroller  of  the  Currency  for 
loans  in  excess  of  lending  limits,  inaccurate  call  reports,  improper 
investments,  improper  loans  to  an  affiliate,  and  excessive  investment  in  bank 
premises. 


2.  Did  these  involve  loans  to  a  Little  Rock  business  man  named  James  R  Hodges? 
A:       Yes. 

3.  Did  you  know  Mr.  Hodges?  If  so,  what  was  your  relationship  to  him? 
A:        I  did  not  know  Mr.  Hodges. 

4.  At  what  point  did  you  become  aware  that  the  National  Bank  of  Arkansas  had 
extended  loans  totaling  $2.82  million  to  Mr.  Hodges  over  a  period  of  five  years? 

A:       I  became  aware  through  briefings  on  the  examination  report  that  the  OCC  was 
taking  the  position  that  the  National  Bank  of  Arkansas  had  extended  loans 
exceeding  the  lending  limit  to  Mr.  Hodges  and  his  affiliated  companies.  I  was 
not  aware  at  the  time  the  National  Bank  of  Arkansas  extended  the  loans  to 
the  various  entities  that  they  were  affiliated  with  Mr.  Hodges.  As  a  result,  I 
was  not  aware  that  the  NBA  was  exceeding  the  loan  limit  According  to 
Ronald  Tulles,  then  President  of  NBA,  the  loan  officer  failed  to  disclose  to 
bank  management  and  the  Board  of  Directors  that  the  entities  were  affiliated. 


5.  Were  you  present  at  any  board  meetings  during  which  the  loans  to  Mr.  Hodges 
were  discussed? 

A:       After  the  OCC  examination  report,  I  was  present  at  several  board  meetings 
where  the  board  discussed  methods  of  bringing  the  Hodges-related  loans  into 
compliance  with  the  lending  limit. 

6.  Did  you  vote  with  other  directors  to  approve  a  loan  to  a  Mr.  Dan  Walker  of  First 
American  Savings  Association  of  Benton,  Illinois? 

A:        I  have  no  specific  recollection  of  voting  with  the  other  directors  to  approve  a 
loan  to  a  Mr.  Dan  Walker  of  First  American  Savings  Association  of  Benton, 
Illinois.  I  may  have  done  so. 

7..Were  you  aware  of  a  commitment  from  Mr.  Walker  to  guarantee  a  loan  to  Mr. 
Hodges  that  would  permit  Mr.  Hodges  to  repay  the  National  Bank  of  Arkansas? 

A:       If  there  was  such  a  commitment,  I  was  unaware  of  it 


160 

8.         Did  you  agree  with  other  directors  to  approve  this  illegal  transfer  of  funds?  If 
not,  did  you  vote  or  otherwise  express  your  opposition  to  this  illegal  activity? 


A:        I  was  not  aware  that  the  loan  to  Mr.  Walker  was  improper  in  any  fashion,  and 
to  my  knowledge  none  of  the  other  directors  believed  that  the  loan  to  Mr. 
Walker  was  improper  or  unlawful.  Since  I  was  unaware  that  the  loan  was 
improper,  I  did  not  express  my  opposition  to  the  loan.  Had  I  known  that  the 
loan  was  improper,  I  would  have  opposed  approval  of  the  loan. 


9.  What  other  safety  and  soundness  violations  was  management  cited  for? 
A:       See  response  to  Question  1  above 

10.  What  corrective  actions  were  called  for  by  Comptroller  of  the  Currency? 

A:       As  I  recall  from  the  briefings  at  board  meetings  around  the  time  of  the 

issuance  of  the  OCC  examination  report,  the  OCC  called  for  tighter  procedures 
to  ensure  that  the  NBA  did  not  engage  in  investments  exceeding  the  loan 
limit,  to  prevent  the  filing  of  inaccurate  call  reports,  to  monitor  closely  all 
investments,  to  prevent  improper  loans  to  an  affiliate,  and  to  preclude  excess 
investment  in  bank  premises. 

11.  Which  corrective  actions  were  taken,  in  the  judgment  of  the  banking  examiners? 

A:       I  believe  that  the  banking  examiners  acknowledged  that  the  bank  had  taken 
some  corrective  measures  including  adoption  of  policies  to  minimize  the 
likelihood  of  future  violations  of  the  lending  limits. 

12.  Which  were  not  taken? 

A:       I  believe  that  the  bank  examiners  took  the  position  that  the  bank  had  not 

taken  sufficient  steps  to  obtain  repayment  of  the  Hodges-related  loans.  Bank 
examiners  also  believed  that  the  bank  had  taken  insufficient  steps  to  collect 
on  a  loan  involving  an  affiliate.   As  to  a  number  of  the  other  alleged  issues, 
the  bank  examiners  acknowledged  that  they  were  not  brought  to  the  attention 
of  the  bank  until  after  I  was  no  longer  a  director. 


13.  You  also  testified  on  Friday  that  you  and  other  directors  had  voted  yourselves  an 
unsecured  $230,000  line  of  credit  You  said  that  you  abstained  on  the  vote  to  extend 
you  that  same  line  of  credit  Was  this  a  "round  robin"  vote  —  in  other  words,  did 
you  abstain  from  voting  on  your  own  line  of  credit  while  voting  to  establish  such  a 
line  of  credit  for  others,  and  did  other  directors  do  the  same? 

A:       I  did  not  testify  that  the  directors  of  the  bank  voted  themselves  "an  unsecured 
$230,000  line  of  credit."  To  the  contrary,  I  testified  that  I  believed  that  the 
"line  of  credit"  represented  a  lending -limit  and  was  not  in  and  of  itself  an 
extension  of  credit  on  which  I  could  draw.  As  I  testified,  all  loans  that  I 
thereafter  obtained  from  the  NBA  were  individually  approved  as  required 
and  at  rates  and  terms  generally  available  to  other  borrowers.  As  I  recall,  the 
votes  of  the  Board  of  Directors  to  establish  these  lending  limits  occurred 
during  one  meeting  in  1981  and  one  meeting  in  1982.  On  each  occasion,  I 
abstained  from  voting  with  regard  to  my  "line  of  credit"  limit 


161 

14.  At  the  hearing,  you  were  asked  whether  you  recused  yourself  "from  discussion 
or  approval  by  the  board  of  any  loan  that  you  had  requested."  Your  answer  was  that 
you  had  abstained  from  the  vote  giving  you  a  $230,000  unsecured  line  of  credit.  Did 
you  also  recuse  yourself  from  discussion  or  approval  by  the  board  of  other  loans  that 
you  had  requested  from  the  NBA? 

A:        I  do  not  recall  whether  the  particular  loans  that  I  sought  from  the  NBA  were 
individually  approved  by  the  board  ancfwhether  I  attended  the  meetings  if 
such  approval  occurred.  At  such  a  meeting,  I  would  have  recused  myself 
from  discussion  or  approval  by  the  board  of  such  loans  to  myself. 


15.  Are  you  able  to  serve  as  a  director  of  a  financial  institution  without  obtaining 
clearance  from  federal  banking  regulators? 

A:       I  believe  that  the  federal  banking  regulators  approve  directors  of  a  federally 
chartered  financial  institution.  There  was  no  other  restrictions  on  my  ability 
to  serve  as  a  director  as  a  financial  institution. 


16.  In  your  position  as  a  director  of  the  board  of  the  Arkansas  National  Bank,  did 
you  violate  federal  law?   Did  you  violate  the  National  Banking  Act? 

A:       As  I  testified  at  the  hearing,  I  was  briefed  at  board  meetings  on  the  content  of 
examination  reports  by  the  OCC  and  the  president  of  the  board.  I  was  advised 
that  all  directors  were  cited  in  the  examination  report  as  having  violated 
national  banking  laws  and  safety  and  soundness  laws  relating  to  their  failure 
to  supervise  bank  management   I  was  advised  that  the  examination  report 
did  not  find  their  activities  to  be  criminal. 


NORPLANT  FOR  PROSTITUTES 


1.  During  a  phone  in  program  called  Talk  Live,  you  were  asked  what  you  would  do 
with  crack  addicted  prostitutes  who  get  pregnant  You  responded,  T  would  hope 
that  we  would  provide  them  Norplant  so  they  could  still  use  sex  if  they  must  to  buy 
their  drugs  and  not  have  unplanned  babies."  Would  you  recommend  we  use 
federal  funds  for  this  purpose? 

A:  I  would,  of  course,  strongly  urge  women  not  to  use  crack  or  engage  in 
prostitution.  Those  women  who  do  engage  in  prostitution  should  use  barrier 
methods  to  protect  themselves  and  their  partners  from  disease.  I  also  would 
encourage  use  of  a  highly  effective  contraceptive  method  like  Norplant  to 
prevent  unwanted  pregnancies.  The  FDA  has  approved  of  the  use  of 
Norplant  as  a  contraceptive  and  Norplant  is  included  as  a  covered  device  by 
Medicaid  in  all  50  States.  As  with  any  contraceptive,  Norplant  is  only 
provided  to  women  who  give  their  informed  consent  for  the  procedure. 

Certainly,  Norplant  is  only  distributed  with  informed,  written  patient 
consent. 


162 

2.  Are  you  at  all  concerned  about  linkages  between  drug  abuse,  prostitution  and  the 
spread  of  AIDS? 

A:  Yes.  Drug  abuse  and  prostitution  are  among  the  causes  for  a  rising  rate  of 
HTV  infection  among  women.  We  need  primary  prevention  to  help  women 
avoid  drug  abuse  and  we  need  more  intervention  and  access  to 
comprehensive  services  for  women  who  desire  to  stop  their  drug  addiction  or 
prostitution-  Currently,  we  have  many  more  women  asking  for  these  services 
than  we  have  spaces  available 


PAY  ISSUE 


1.  A  series  of  opinions  prepared  by  the  Office  of  the  Attorney  General  for  the  State  of 
Arkansas  indicate  that  you  had  a  special  arrangement  to  receive  a  salary  in  excess  of 
the  cap  mat  applied  to  all  other  state  employees,  including  the  Governor.  Under 
this  arrangement,  the  Department  of  Health,  which  you  headed,  transferred  the 
amount  of  your  salary  (and,  at  least  in  some  years,  additional  funds  as  well)  to  the 
University  of  Arkansas  Medical  School.  UAMS  then  added  more  money  to  the  sum 
that  had  been  transferred  from  the  Health  Department  and  paid  you  as  a  faculty 
member.   When  did  this  unique  salary  arrangement  begin? 

A:       I  believe  that  the  salary  arrangement  began  in  fiscal  year  1987-88.  I  do  not 
believe  that  the  arrangement  is  unique  Several  other  states,  including 
Florida,  Texas,  and  Washington,  D.C  have  similar  arrangements  to 
encourage  medical  professionals  to  accept  supervisory  positions  in  their 
respective  departments  of  health. 

2.  Did  the  Attorney  General  approve  this  arrangement?  If  so,  for  which  years  was 
approval  given?  For  which  years  was  approval  "not  obtained? 

A:       It  is  my  understanding  that  the  Attorney  General  was  not  asked  to  approve 
the  method  by  which  I  was  compensated.  My  understanding  is  that  the 
Arkansas  Department  of  Finance  and  Administration  approved  the  contract 
each  year. 

3.  Did  the  Chief  Fiscal  Officer  of  the  state  approve  this  arrangement?  If  so,  for  which 
years  was  approval  given?  For  which  years  was  approval  not  obtained? 

A:       Yes.  The  Department  of  Finance  and  Administration,  which  is  headed  by  the 
Chief  Financial  Officer,  approved  this  arrangement  in  each  year. 

4.  With  whom  did  you  negotiate  this  arrangement?   Was  the  Governor  involved  in 
these  discussions? 

A:       I  did  not  negotiate  the  contract,  which  was  between  the  University  of 

Arkansas  Medical  School  ("UAMS")  and  the  Arkansas  Department  of  Health. 
The  Governor  initially  offered  me  the  position,  but  I  informed  the  Governor 
that  I  could  not  accept  the  position  if  it  required  me  to  resign  from  my 
tenured  faculty  position  with  UAMS  and  to  take  a  reduction  in  salary.  I  do 
not  know  whether  or  to  what  extent  the  Governor  was  involved  in  the 
discussions  between  UAMS  and  the  ADH. 


163 

5.  An  April  7,  1988  Attorney  General  opinion  stated:  "An  employee  of  a  state  agency 
who  is  drawing  the  maximum  salary  with  that  agency  would  presumably  be 
drawing  in  excess  of  that  maximum  upon  receipt  of  any  salary  or  stipend  received  by 
virtue  of  a  contract  or  employment  with  another  state  agency.'"  Prior  to  the  issuance 
of  this  opinion,  did  you  receive  any  salary  or  stipend  from  UAMS  in  excess  of  the 
maximum  salary  set  by  the  state  legislature  for  the  Director  of  the  State's 
Department  of  Health?  _ 

A:        My  salary  was  approved  by  the  appropriate  state  authorities  and  it  is  my 
understanding  it  did  not  violate  applicable  state  law. 


6.  Did  you  receive  any  salary  or  stipend  from  UAMS  in  excess  of  the  maximum 
salary  set  by  the  state  legislature  for  the  Director  of  the  state's  Department  of  Health 
subsequent  to  the  issuance  of  the  April  7, 1988  Attorney  General's  opinion? 

A:       See  answer  to  Question  5  above. 


7.  An  Attorney  General  opinion  dated  July  11, 1990  described  your  pay  arrangement 
as  follows: 

"The  Department  of  Health  takes  the  $72,907  appropriation  for  the  director's  [i.e.,  the 
Director  of  Health]  salary  and  pursuant  to  A.C.A.  19-4-526,  has  it  transferred  to  a 
budget  classification  for  professional  services  contracts,  and  then  pays  the  salary, 
plus  an  additional  $14717  from  unidentified  sources,  to  UAMS,  which  uses  it  to 
help  pay  Dr.  Elders's  UAMS  salary.  Thus,  this  sum  is  paid  by  the  Department  of 
Health  to  UAMS,  and  then  paid  by  UAMS  to  Dr.  Elders  as  a  part  of  the  total 
compensation  she  receives  from  UAMS." 

Since  you  were  Director  of  the  Department  of  Health,  can  you  please  describe  how 
this  transfer  of  funds  from  the  agency  you  directed  to  UAMS  was  accomplished? 

A:       It  is  my  understanding  that  the  Department  of  Health  forwarded  each  month 
one-twelfth  of  my  annual  salary  as  the  Director  of  Health  to  UAMS.  There,  it 
is  my  understanding  that  the  payment  was  commingled  with  funds  UAMS 
receives  from  all  other  sources. 

8.  Can  you  also  explain  where  the  $14717  of  additional  Health  Department  funds 
came  from?  Were  they  taken  from  a  state  health  program?  Were  they  taken  from 
state  personnel  funds?  If  not,  where  did  this  money  come  from? 

A:       It  is  my  understanding  that  the  additional  funds  came  from  the  Department's 
general  operations  budget,  derived  from  its  state  appropriation. 

9.  Did  the  Chief  Financial  Officer  and  relevant  agency  heads  certify  that  the 
performance  of  your  work  as  Director  of  tine  Department  of  Health  would  not 
interfere  with  your  duties  as  a  faculty  member  at  UAMS 

A:       No.   The  Department  of  Health  and  UAMS  jointly  made  that  determination. 

10.  What  were  your  duties  as  a  faculty  member  of  UAMS  during  your  tenure  as 
Director  of  the  State  Department  of  Health? 


164 

A:       I  performed  occasional  services  such  as  publishing  scholarly  articles,  taking 
medical  students  on  rounds,  and  lecturing  at  UAMS  seminars.  I  also  served 
on  the  Human  Research  Advisory  Committee  and  was  a  member  of  the 
faculty  in  the  division  of  Pediatric  Endocrinology  and  performed  duties  such 
as  clinics  rounds  and  consultations  with  faculty,  students  and  housestaff. 
11.  Did  your  "personal  services  contract"  for  years  after  1991  provide  for  you  to 
receive  additional  compensation  beyond  the  amount  that  you  were  entitled  to 
receive  in  your  capacity  as  Director  of  the  Department  of  Health? 

A:       I  did  not  have  a  "personal  services  contract"  The  contract  was  between 
UAMS  and  the  Department  of  Health. 


12.  Were  you  also  paid  by  the  Arkansas  Children's  Hospital  at  any  point  in  your 
tenure  as  Health  Director?  If  so,  how  much  were  you  paid,  and  during  what  time 
period  did  you  draw  this  pay?  What  conflicts  of  interest  did  this  create  since,  as 
Health  Director,  you  had  certain  administrative  responsibilities  for  the  hospital? 

A:       I  was  a  member  of  the  University  of  Arkansas  School  of  Medicine  faculty 

which  provided  professional  services  to  Arkansas  Children's  Hospital.   I  had 
an  appointment  at  Arkansas  Children's  Hospital  as  a  Professor  of  Pediatric 
Endocrinology.  I  did  not  receive  a  separate  salary  from  the  Arkansas 
Children's  Hospital.  As  a  result,  I  saw  no  conflicts  of  interest  in  my  role  there. 


13.  What  discussions  have  you  engaged  in  with  officials  of  the  US.  Department  of 
Health  and  Human  Services  or  any  officials  of  the  United  States  government  to 
allow  you  to  draw  a  salary  in  addition  to  the  salary  appropriated  by  Congress  for  the 
Surgeon  General  of  the  United  States? 

A:       I  have  had  no  discussions  with  officials  of  the  VS.  Department  of  Health  and 
Human  Services  or  any  officials  of  the  United  States  government  concerning 
allowing  me  to  draw  a  salary  in  addition  to  the  salary  appropriated  by 
Congress  for  the  Surgeon  General  of  the  United  States. 


SEX  EDUCATION 


1.  Is  it  true  that  you  believe  sex  education  should  begin  in  kindergarten?  (Arkansas 
Gazette,  July  3, 1988).  You  are  quoted  as  saying  "We  taught  them  what  to  do  in  the 
front  seat.  Now  it's  time  to  teach  them  what  to  do  in  the  back  seat"  (Evening 
Times,  West  Memphis,  Ark.) 

A:  I  have  never  said  "sex  education"  should  begin  in  kindergarten.  I  believe  in 
age-appropriate,  comprehensive  health  education  in  grades  K  -  12.  I  have 
made  the  statement  concerning  the  front  seat  /back  seat     All  schools  in 

America  teach  driver's  education  because  we  recognize  the  importance  of 
providing  our  children  with  the  skills  necessary  to  negotiate  on  our  freeways. 
We  teach  them  not  to  drink  and  drive,  to  wear  seat  belts  and  to  obey  traffic 
regulations.  I  was  just  reflecting  on  my  belief  that  we  need  to  also  recognize 
the  need  to  provide  our  children  with  adequate  tools  to  negotiate  life's 
highways-  Hopefully,  that  means  the  ability  to  say  "no"  to  sex,  until  they  are 
married.  We  would  all  want  this  for  our  children.  However,  if  they  do  not 
adopt  that  value,  then  I  would  hope  that  we  could  at  least  teach  them  to  be 
responsible  so  they  do  not  bring  another  life  into  this  world  until  they  are 
ready  to  accept  the  overwhelming  responsibility  that  childrearing  brings  to 
parents  today. 


165 

2.  What  do  you  mean  by  sex  ed  in  kindergarten?  Are  you  familiar  with  any  of  the 
literature  developed  for  students  by  Marcia  Quackenbush?  One  of  the  books  "A 
Kid's  First  Book  About  Sex"  is  described  by  the  author  as  an  introduction  to  sexuality 
for  young  readers.  The  table  of  contents  reveals  chapters  on  "Your  Body,  Nudity, 
Touching,  What  is  Sexy,  Sex  Parts,  Feeling  Sexy  (Orgasm),  Masturbation,  Sexual 
Intercourse,  etc..)  Are  these  the  types  of  subjects  you  think  should  be  discussed  with 
pre-schoolers? 

A:  I  have  never  used  the  term  "sex  ed"  for  kindergarten  students.  I  believe  in 
comprehensive  age-appropriate  health  education.  That  means  teaching 
children  the  "need  to  know"  information  concerning  their  health,  their 
bodies  and  themselves.  For  very  young  children,  that  means  teaching  them 
that  there  are  places  on  their  bodies  that  nobody  should  touch  and  if  someone 
does,  they  should  go  tell  somebody  about  it  It  means  teaching  them  about 
nutrition,  personal  hygiene,  the  health  consequences  of  tobacco  use,  alcohol 
abuse  and  drug  abuse.  We  need  to  teach  health  education  like  we  teach  math, 
every  day  in  our  classrooms.  Instead,  too  many  of  our  programs  only  offer  a 
thirty  minute  lecture  once  a  month  or  so.  This  strategy  will  not  effectuate 
behavioral  change  in  our  young  people.  Good  health  must  become  a  way  of 
life  To  do  this,  yes,  we  must  start  early. 

I  am  not  familiar  with  Ms.  Quackenbush's  work. 

SOCIAL  SECURITY  AND  FICA 

1.  Could  you  or  your  husband  have  told  Audrey  Ruffin  what  her  responsibilities 


were.' 


Audrey  Ruffin's  responsibilities  were  established  by  Oliver  B.  Elders,  Sr.  when 
he  hired  her  in  the  summer  of  1988.  At  that  time,  she  was  given  the  duties  of 
caring  for  my  mother-in-law,  Mrs.  Elders.  Ms.  Ruffin  did  not  perform 
services  for  my  husband  and  myself,  and  I  believe  that,  had  we  directed  her  to 
perform  services  for  my  husband  and  myself,  she  would  not  have  done  so. 


2.  Could  you  or  your  husband  have  told  Audrey  Ruffin  when  to  come  to  work? 

A:       As  I  testified  at  the  hearing,  when  Ms.  Ruffin  was  not  at  our  home,  my 

husband  and  I  had  responsibility  for  caring  for  Mrs.  Elders.  As  a  result,  we 
would  attempt  to  coordinate  our  schedules  with  Ms.  Ruffin  to  ensure  that 
Mrs.  Elders  received  needed  care. 

3.  Please  provide  a  break  down  of  the  $15300  in  back  taxes  and  penalties  you  paid. 
Was  this  all  in  connection  with  the  taxes  due  on  the  wages  of  Audrey  Ruffin?  Are 
any  additional  amounts  due? 


Form  942  Form  940  Total 

Taxes  Owed                $7,792.72  $1,996.40  $9,789.12 

Penalties                       1,843.73  499.10  2347,83 

Interest                          2311.97  666.39  3,17837 

Total                           $12,153.42  $3,161.89  $1531532 


166 

Forms  942  and  940  relate  to  the  payment  of  Social  Security  taxes  on  wages  paid 
and  federal  unemployment  taxes  for  a  portion  of  the  total  wages  paid  by  Mrs. 
Elders.  I  am  advised  by  the  accountant  who  assisted  in  this  matter  that  no 
additional  amounts  are  due,  and  that  Mrs.  Elders  may  receive  a  refund 
because  certain  of  his  estimates  of  penalties  and  interest  may  be  overstated 
Moreover,  the  $1531532  includes  both  the  employer  and  the  employee  social 
security  tax  payments. 


4.  If  you  had  not  been  nominated  for  this  position,  when  would  you  and  your 
husband  have  paid  these  taxes? 

A:       As  I  testified  at  the  hearing,  I  regarded  Mrs.  Elders  as  the  employer  of  Ms. 
Ruffin,  and  she  was  paid  out  of  Mrs.  Elders's  income.  Mrs.  Elders  received 
income  from  retirement  benefits  and  rental  property  that  she  owns.   That 
income  was  deposited  into  the  joint  checking  account  of  myself  and  my 
husband.  My  husband  and  I  then  paid  Ms.  Ruffin  from  our  joint  account. 
Mrs.  Elder's  income  was  sufficient  to  cover  the  payments  to  Mrs.  Ruffin. 

I  did  not  regard  the  payment  of  social  security  taxes  on  the  salary  of  the  nurse 
employed  by  my  mother-in-law  as  my  responsibility.  As  a  result,  I  did  not 
focus  on  the  nature  of  Ms.  Ruffin's  services  for  Mrs.  Elders,  and  any  attendant 
tax  liability  that  Mrs.  Elders  may  be  incurring.  Following  the  increased 
attention  in  this  area  since  January  1993,  and  as  I  began  to  prepare  for  my 
confirmation  hearing,  I  decided  it  was  necessary  to  address  this  issue. 
Although  I  do  not  believe  that  my  husband's  failure,  under  his  power  of 
attorney  from  his  mother,  to  pay  the  social  security  taxes  for  Ms.  Ruffin  is  my 
responsibility,  I  decided  to  insist  that  the  taxes  be  paid  prior  to  the  hearing  to 
avoid  any  possible  issue 


5.  During  testimony  before  the  Committee,  in  response  to  a  question  regarding  your 
familiarity  with  the  procedures  for  hiring  and  paying  private  health  care  providers, 
you  stated  that  it  was  your  understanding  that "...  private-duty  nurses  really  are 
independent  consultants  or  independent  contractors  and  they  handled  their  own 
finances.'* 

A  letter  received  on  July  26, 1993,  by  this  Committee  (see  Appendix  A),  dated  April 
18, 1989,  from  the  Arkansas  Department  of  Health  in  response  to  an  IRS  inquiry, 
indicates  that  your  Department  was  informed  by  the  IRS  that  the  ADH  was  in 
violation  of  the  law  for  treating  personal  care  aides  as  "independent  contractors." 

(a)  Please  explain  how,  in  light  of  this  letter,  you  were  still  not  aware  of  the  proper 
withholding  practices  for  personal  care  aides? 


A:       As  Director  of  ADH,  I  was  generally  aware  that  the  issue  of  the  proper  tax 
treatment  of  personal  case  aides  was  being  raised  by  the  Internal  Revenue 
Service.  In  our  agency,  the  matter  was  being  handled  by  Finance  Department 
at  ADH.  I  was  not  aware  at  the  time  6T  the  criteria  for  determining  when  a 
home  health  aide  was  an  employee  as  opposed  to  an  independent  contractor. 

(b)  If  you  were  unaware  of  this  letter,  please  state  how,  as  Director  of  ADH,  you 
administered  inquiries  by  a  federal  agency  regarding  violations  of  federal  law  by 
your  Department. 


167 

A:       I  recall  that  ADH  immediately  responded  to  the  IRS  letter,  determined 

whether  our  practices  were  consistent  with  the  requirements  of  the  law,  and 
adjusted  our  practices  to  ensure  compliance. 

(c)  If  you  are  confirmed  by  the  Senate,  please  fully  state  how  you  would  implement 
review  procedures  to  ensure  mat  the  Publiciiealth  Service  is  administered  in 
complete  compliance  with  the  law  and  managed  with  proper  responsibility. 

A:       If  confirmed  as  Surgeon  General,  I  am  committed  to  maintaining  the  highest 
standards  of  ethical  behavior  and  compliance  with  the  law  both  by  myself  and 
the  Public  Health  Service  over  which  I  have  authority.   Also  as  Surgeon 
General,  I  will  impose  rigorous  controls  and  oversight  as  necessary  to  ensure 
proper  compliance  with  all  legal,  regulatory,  and  ethical  requirements. 

6.  Could  you  please  supply  the  Committee  with  copies  of  the  correspondence  from 
the  ERS  to  the  ADH  regarding  the  issues? 

A:        I  am  no  longer  the  director  of  the  ADH,  and  do  not  possess  copies  of  the 
correspondence  from  the  IRS  to  the  ADH  regarding  these  issues. 


SPROLES  HOME  HEALTH  AGENCY 

1.  Was  there  any  relationship  between  Tommy  Sproles*  Home  Health  Agency  and 
the  Mercy  Nursing  Home? 

A:        No,  to  my  knowledge,  there  was  no  relationship  between  Tommy  Sproles 
Home  Health  Agency  and  the  Mercy  Nursing  Home. 

2.  Were  you  ever  a  shareholder  in  either  the  Mercy  Nursing  Home  or  the  Home 
Health  Agency? 

A:        No,  I  was  never  a  shareholder  in  the  Sproles  Home  Health  Agency  or  the 
Mercy  Nursing  Home. 

3.  Were  Audrey  and/or  Rose  Ruffin  ever  employed  by  or  connected  in  any  way  with 
Tommy  Sproles  and/or  the  Home  Health  Agency? 

A:        No,  to  my  knowledge,  neither  Audrey  nor  Rose  Ruffin  was  ever  employed  by 
or  connected  in  any  way  with  Tommy  Sproles  or  the  Home  Health  Agency. 


TEEN  PREGNANCY 


1.  You  stated  as  State  Health  Director.... 

a.  We  haven't  given  abstinence  a  chance— so  how  can  you  say  that  abstinence  won't 
work?  Further,  given  these  facts,  how  can  you  say  that  the  current  approach  does 
work? 


168 

A:  I  support  abstinence  as  the  best  choice  for  young  women.  I  do  not  feel  that  we 
can  rely  only  on  abstinence  messages  because  this  does  not  provide  any  help 
to  those  young  persons  who  do  decide  to  become  sexually  active.  For  this 
reason  I  believe  that  information  on  sexuality  and  contraception  must  be 
provided  along  with  abstinence  information.  Programs  which  have  provided 
both  abstinence  and  contraception  information  within  a  comprehensive 
framework— such  as  the  Reducing  the  .Risk  program  and  the  Postponing 
Sexual  Involvement  program  have  shown  both  increased  postponement  of 
initiation  of  sexual  activity  as  well  as  improvements  in  contraceptive  practice 
among  those  teens  who  do  become  sexually  active 

Provision  of  family  planning  programs  does  not  cause  sexual  activity.  Most 
teens  are  sexually  active  for  almost  a  year  before  they  seek  contraception  from 
a  family  planning  clinic  Increases  in  the  funding  for  family  planning  and 
sexuality  education  programs  followed,  not  preceded,  the  increase  in  teen 
sexuality  activity  and  sexually  transmitted  diseases.  The  failure  of  these 
programs  to  stem  the  problems  can  be  more  accurately  attributed  to  the 
inadequate  funding  they  have  received  over  the  past  decade;  indeed,  the  Title 
X  program  currently  has  only  about  half  the  purchasing  power  it  had  in  1980. 

b.  If  you  had  no  success  in  Arkansas  in  reducing  the  rate  of  teen  pregnancy,  why 
should  we  believe  you  will  have  any  success  in  implementing  the  same  plan  on  a 
national  level? 


A:  To  the  contrary,  we  did  have  success,  although  not  as  much  as  I  would  have 
liked,  on  reducing  the  rate  of  teen  pregnancy.  This  is  a  task  which  requires 
the  involvement  of  teens,  their  parents,  schools,  communities  and 
community  leaders  and  the  media  which  glorify  sex  as  safe  and  costless  and 
glamorous.  A  state  health  director  or  Surgeon  General  can  work  to  coalesce 
these  forces,  but  it  will  not  be  until  they  adopt  the  message  that  real  progress 
will  begin  to  be  made. 

c  You  have  blamed  the  failure  of  your  plan  to  reduce  Arkansas'  teen  pregnancy  rate 
on  "Poverty  and  ignorance  and  the  Bible-belt  mentality."  Would  you  please 
comment  on  that? 

A:  The  statement  is  not  in  response  to  the  failure  of  my  plan  to  reduce  Arkansas' 
teen  pregnancy  rate  but  rather  is  a  statement  concerning  the  continuing 
increase  in  the  teen  pregnancy  rate  on  the  national  level 


2.  On  the  issue  of  the  minority  children  bom  to  teenagers,  you  have  been  quoted  as 
asking,  "Why  should  we  want  a  race  of  black  people  who  are  retarded,  ignorant  and 
poor?"  (The  New  York  Times,  October  15, 1989)  Do  you  really  believe  that  children 
bom  to  teenagers  are  "retarded,  ignorant,  and  poor"?  Jesse  Jackson  appeared  before 
this  committee  yesterday  to  testify  on  adoption  of  African  American  children  and  he 
told  the  committee  how  he  was  bom  to  (SIC)  teenager,  and  was  later  adopted. 
Surely  you  don't  mean  to  imply  that  all  or  even  most  of  the  children  bom  to 
teenagers  are  necessarily  ignorant  or  retarded? - 

A:  Children  born  to  teenagers  are  80%  more  likely  to  be  poor,  are  12%  more 
likely  to  be  a  low  birth  weight  baby,  and  more  likely  to  be  in  a  special 
education  class.  No,  I  do  not  mean  to  imply  that  all  or  even  most  of  the 
children  bom  to  teenagers  are  necessarily  ignorant  or  retarded,  but  we  would 
like  for  all  children  to  have  two  nurturing  parents  and  to  be  planned  and 
wanted. 


169 

3.  In  February  of  this  year  the  Washington  Post  reported  you  told  the  American 
Medical  News  that  teenage  mothers  and  their  babies  make  up  America's  newest 
slave  class.    "If  Medicaid  does  not  pay  for  abortions,  does  not  pay  for  family 
planning,  but  pays  for  prenatal  care  and  delivery,  that's  saying  "I'll  pay  for  your  to 
have  another  good,  healthy  slave,  but  I  won't  pay  for  your  to  use  your  brain  and 
make  choices  for  yourself...If  you  are  poor  and   ignorant,  you  are  a  slave. 
(Washington  Post,  2/16/93). 

One  month  later  you  were  quoted  as  saying.  The  public  assistance  tab  for  teen 
mothers  and  their  children  came  to  $26  billion  in  1991,  up  from  $19.3  billion  four 
years  earlier.  Single,  unemployed  with  no  job  skills  and  on  welfare,  children  who 
have  children  constitute  America's  newest  slave  class."  (Los  Angles  Times,  March  8, 
1993) 

Could  you  please  elaborate? 

A:  I  am  a  proponent  of  access  to  family  planning  services  for  poor  women  to 
enable  them  to  avoid  pregnancy  if  that  is  their  wish.  Although  we  as  a 
Nation  focus  our  time  and  resources  on  health  care  for  pregnant  women  and 
their  children,  we  do  not  focus  enough  on  preventive  health  measures  such 
as  family  planning  that  can  assist  women  in  planning  or  delaying  their 
pregnancies  until  they  are  best  able  to  care  for  their  children. 

This  is  evidenced  by  the  fact  that  in  FY  1992,  the  estimated  Federal  share  of 
Medicaid  funding  for  all  maternal  and  infant  care  was  $5.0  billion,  while  the 
Federal  share  of  Medicaid  funding  for  family  planning  services  was  just  $405 
million.  In  addition,  over  the  last  decade,  after  adjusting  for  inflation,  there 
has  actually  been  a  decrease  in  Title  X  funding  for  family  planning  services, 
the  Federal  government's  major  source  of  grant  funding  for  family  planning 
services  to  poor  women. 

With  regard  to  Medicaid,  although  Medicaid  expenditures  for  family 
planning  services  have  been  increasing,  because  States  use  different  sets  of 
income  guidelines  to  determine  Medicaid  eligibility,  coverage  for  family 
planning  services  for  poor  women  varies  greatly  by  State. 

In  addition,  while  Medicaid  regulations  require  States  to  provide  obstetrical 
coverage  for  pregnant  women  whose  incomes  are  up  to  133  percent  of 
poverty  for  a  period  of  60  days  post  partum,  most  poor  women  who  are  not 
pregnant  can  only  receive  Medicaid  coverage  (and  therefore  reimbursement 
for  family  planning  services)  if  they  quality  for  AFDC  And,  income  eligibility 
criteria  varies  gready  from  state  to  state  —  for  example  in  Arkansas, 
individuals  are  eligible  for  AFDC  payments  only  if  their  income  falls  below  21 

percent  of  the  Federal  Poverty  Guidelines.1 


V  Medicaid  Source  Book:  Background  Data  and  Analysis  (A  1993  Update)  A  report  prepared  by  the 
Congressional  Research  Services  for  use  by  the  Subcommittee  on  Health  and  the  Environment  of  the 
Committee  on  Energy  and  Commerce.  January.  1993  P.  746 


170 

4.  Upon  what  sources  did  you  base  the  statistic  that  60%  of  American'  children  are 
"unplanned  and  unwanted?" 

A:  My  information  source  was  a  publication  from  the  National  Center  for 
Health  Statistics  using  data  from  the  National  Survey  of  Family  Growth.  In 
1988  among  never-married  women  aged  15-44  65%  of  the  children  bom  to 
them  were  unplanned  and  unwanted.  [39.8%  mistimed  and  25.4%  unwanted] 
In  this  report  a  pregnancy  was  classified  as  "unwanted"  at  conception  if  the 
woman  had  stopped,  or  had  not  used,  contraception  for  reasons  other  than 
seeking  pregnancy,  or  if  she  had  become  pregnant  while  using  contraception 
and  had  not  wanted  a  baby.  Births  that  were  wanted  but  occurred  sooner  than 
desired  were  classified  as  "mistimed."  "Unintended"  births  are  those  that 
were  either  unwanted  or  mistimed. 


171 


APPENDIX  A 

yG-Aastsa*  DEPARTMENT  OF  HEALTH 

4»tS*eSTI«Afl»<M«ST"EET    -    UmjERO«.ARRM<SAS7ZZOS 
IBfFMOHE  AC  501  teiBXD 


81U.CUKT0M 
GOVERNOR 


April   18.    1989 


Hr.  Paul  Southard 

Internal  Revenue  Service 

First  Federal  Building.  Room  430 

401  H.  Capitol 

Little  Rock..  AR  72201 

Dear  Hr.  Southard: 


'.r-.-f* 


This  letter  is  In  response  to  your  Inquiry  regarding  our  treatment  of  Personal 
Care  Aides.  Registered  Nurses.  Physical  Therapist.  Speech  Therapists.  Licensed 
Practical  Hurses.  and  Occupational  Therapists  as  "Independent  Contractors.' 

Our  hoiie  health  agency  operates  on  public  funds:     a  mix  of  state  funds, 
re  labor seaents  from  Medicare  and  Medicaid,  and  son*  Veteran's  Admtnl strati on. 
As  such,  we  are  expected  to  provide  care  for  people  regardless  of  whether  or 
not  they  have  a  third-party  payment  source  for  the  care.     Our  patients  are' 
typically  suffering  from  a  major  Illness  (cancer,  stroke,  heart  disease,  new 
diabetes,  etc.).  or  are  so  frail  that  they  are  about  to  enter  a  nursing  home. 
These  services  are  generally  the  critical  factor  In  the  patient's  being  able 
to  remain  at  hone,  using  family  support  In  a  loving  environment. 

He  have  been  under  the  belief  that  a  selected  group  of  our  "personnel"  were 
appropriately  classified  as  Independent  contractors,  since  we  do  not  directly 
supervise  them,  but  rather  provide  the*  with  a  Care  Plan  for  their 
professional  services.    They  do  have  the  lattltode  to  refuse  assignments,  and 
to  select  their  own  working  hours. 

However.  In  reviewing  the  documentation  which  you  sent  to  us.  we  understand 
that  we  should  be  treating  these  workers  as  "employees." 

He  have  met  with  the  Arkansas  Department  of  Finance  and  Administration,  with 
our  Accounting  and  Financial  Hanagment  sections,  and  with  our  data  systems 
managers,  and  have  made  the  following  plans  for  complying  with  recent  IRS 
rulings.    As  you  review  these  plans,  please  keep  In  mind  that  we  are  a 
statewide  organization  which  must  collect  Information  from  personnel  In  75 
counties  of  Arkansas. 


172 


..tTTER   10  HR.   SOUTHARD 
Apr  I)    J7.   1989 
Page  2 


I.   He  will,  pay  both  our  portion  and  the  employees'  portion  of  FICA  for  the 
period  January  I.   1989  through  June  30.    1989.     He  will  do  this  because  we 
do  not  feel  that  we  can  guarantee  to  yo«f  that  we  will  have  the  necessary 
withholding  systeas  1n  place  prior  to  that  date. 

On  Joly  I,  1989.  we  will  begin  standard  withholding  for  those  employees 
which  we  had  previously  considered  "Independent  contractors."    (This  will 
necessarily  Include  aeetlngs  with  the  eaployees.  collection  of  necessary 
tax  Information,  as  well  as  computer  changeovers;  restructuring  of  data 
systems,  etc.) 

2.  He  will  process  the  first  batch  (both  employees'  and  employers  share)  of 
FICA  payments  for  one  group  of  personnel  which  comprises  the  majority 
within  two  weeks.     He  will  phase  In  FICA  payaent  for  the  remaining 
Individual  employee  groups  by  the  end  of  Hay.    He  will  spend  June 
accumulating  tax  information  statewide  necessary  for  the  withholding 
process. 

3.  He  will  provide  jrou  with  a  status  report  on  June  15.  1989.  and  on 
July  30.  1989. 

He  hope  that  this  plan  Is  acceptable  to  you;  we  appreciate  your  calling  the 
matter  to  our  attention — we  honestly  thought  we  were  operating  In  accordance 
with  applicable  rules.     If  we  can  provide  any  further  Information,  please 
don't  hesitate  to  call  us. 


Sincerely, 


Clay  Par ton.  Dtcector 
Divlston  of  In-Some  Services 

cc:  Nancy  Clrsdi 
Rob  Robinette 
Toa  S.  Butler 
Jim  Hills 


173 

RESPONSES  OF  M.  JOYCELYN  ELDERS,  M.D. 

TO 

QUESTIONS  SUBMITTED  BY 

SENATOR  NANCY  LANDON  KASSEBAUM 


ROLE  OF  THE  SURGEON  GENERAL 


You  were  preceded  in  your  role  by  two  surgeon  generals  who  successfully  advocated 
different  public  health  causes.  Dr.  C.  Everett  Koop  led  a  national  crusade  against 
tobacco  use  and  called  for  preventative  measures  to  curb  the  spread  of  HIV.  Dr. 
Antonia  Novella  focused  the  nation's  attention  on  the  adverse  effects  of  alcohol 
usage  and  abuse,  especially  among  teenagers. 

Q:  What  are  your  goals  in  your  role  as  health  advisor  to  the  Nation? 

A:       The  role  of  the  Surgeon  General  as  I  see  the  office  and  understand  it  at 
the  present  time  is  articulated  in  a  document  I  am  attaching  to  these 
responses.  (See  Appendix  A).  Some  of  these  views  were  given  in  my 
opening  statement  to  the  Committee.   As  Surgeon  General,  my  goal 
will  be  to  improve  the  quality  of  life  by: 

—  preventing  chronic  and  infectious  diseases, 
including  cancer,  heart  disease,  hypertension, 
tuberculosis  and  AIDS; 

—  reducing  teen  pregnancy,  infant  mortality  and 
morbidity; 

—  eliminating  the  serious  disparities  in  health 
problems  which  minority  groups  experience; 

—  preventing  and  reducing  the  toll  of  injuries  and 
disabilities  in  our  society; 

—  improving  women's  health;  and 

—  providing  care  and  services  for  our  elderly  so  they 
can  live  in  dignity  and  comfort  during  their  final 
years. 


Q.  What  public  health  causes  do  you  plan  to  advocate? 

A:        I  will  be  a  strong  advocate  for  programs  outlined  in  this  brief,  in  addition  to 
other  major  public  health  issues  seen  as  needs  by  the  Congress,  President  and 
the  American  people. 

Traditionally,  the  Surgeon  General  has  been  the  nation's  health  policy  advisor. 
Under  a  proposed  reorganization  of  the  Office  of  the  Assistant  Secretary  for  Health.  I 
understand  you  could  be  assigned  roles  different  than  previous  surgeon  generals.  If 
the  reorganization  occurs,  you  would  be  the  direct  supervisor  of  the  Office  of 
Women's  Health,  Minority  Health,  Disease  Prevention  and  Health  Promotion  and 
Population  Affairs. 

Q:  Is  this  true?  How  will  your  role  be  different  than  previous  surgeon  generals? 
Why  is  there  a  change  in  the  role  of  Surgeon  General?  To  whom  will  you  report, 
Dr.  Lee  or  Dr.  Shalala? 


174 

A:       Under  the  intended  reorganization  within  the  Department's  Office  of  the 
Assistant  Secretary  for  Health,  the  role  of  the  Surgeon  General  will  be 
expanded.  The  Assistant  Secretary  for  Health  will  remain  the  head  of  the 
United  States  Public  Health  Service,  while  the  Surgeon  General  manages  the 
PHS  Commissioned  Corps  personnel  system  and  serves  as  the  health  advisor 
to  the  nation. 

The  expansion  of  the  Surgeon  General's  role  entails  placing  four  programs 
within  the  Public  Health  Service  under  the  Surgeon  General's  supervision. 
These  programs  include  the  Office  of  Women's  Health,  Office  of  Minority 
Health,  Office  of  Health  Promotion  and  Disease  Prevention,  and  Office  of 
Population  Affairs.  Since  these  programs  are  located  in  the  Office  of  the 
Assistant  Secretary  for  Health,  a  major  reorganization  and  relocation  is  not 
required. 

Although  I  look  forward  to  working  closely  with  the  Secretary,  I  will  report  if 
confirmed  to  the  Assistant  Secretary  for  Health,  Dr.  Philip  Lee,  just  as  my 
predecessors  have. 

Q:  What  is  your  top  priority  for  each  of  the  offices  you  will  direct?  A  large  role  of 
each  of  these  offices  is  to  coordinate  activities  across  the  entire  Public  Health  Service. 
In  your  role,  will  you  also  try  to  prevent  unnecessary  duplication  of  efforts  across 
the  Public  Health  Service? 

A:       I  want  the  opportunity  to  study  the  current  activities  of  these  Offices  in  more 
detail  before  I  decide  the  priorities  for  these  programs.  I  do  intend  to  work 
toward  preventing  the  duplication  of  effort  across  the  Public  Health  Services. 
However,  euminating  duplication  is  not  enough.  Based  on  my  experience  in 
Arkansas,  I  know  that  we  must  improve  the  coordination  of  effort  in  our 
programs  and  increase  flexibility. 


TEEN  HEALTH 


In  Arkansas,  you  initiated  different  programs  to  improve  the  health  of  teenagers. 
You  are  credited  with  expanding  the  number  of  school  based  health  clinics.  In 
addition,  during  you  a  tenure,  the  Arkansas  teenage  pregnancy  rate  climbed,  but  at  a 
lower  rate  than  the  nation's. 

Q:  What  are  the  most  pressing  health  problems  facing  teenagers  today? 

A:  As  I  have  stated  in  my  testimony,  all  too  often  I  have  seen  bright  young 
people  all  over  this  country  surrounded  by  social  problems  which  negatively 
impact  their  health  such  as  drugs,  alcohol,  violence,  homicide,  suicide,  AIDS 
and  teenage  pregnancy. 

The  overall  health  profile  of  teenagers  is  distressing  especially  when 
reviewing  the  morbidity  and  mortality  associated  with  adolescent's  poor  or 
high-risk  health  behaviors: 

(1)  According  to  data  from  the  CDC,  in  1987  and  1988,  about  three- 
fourths  of  all  deaths  among  VS.  young  people  aged  10-24  years  were 
related  to  only  four  major  causes:  motor  vehicle  accidents  (36.8%), 
homicide  (13.7%),  suicide  (12.1  %),  and  other  injury  (11.9%). 


175 

(2)  In  addition,  over  the  last  decade,  drug  abuse,  alcohol  and  cigarette 
use  and  unprotected  sexual  intercourse  among  adolescents  have 
become  a  significant  health  problem  contributing  to  high  rates  of 
adolescent  morbidity. 

(3)  All  too  frequently,  these  health  and  social  problems  are  interrelated. 
As  many  as  one  in  four  adolescents  are  considered  to  be  "at  risk"  for 
school  failure,  delinquency,  early  unprotected  sexual  intercourse  and 
substance  abuse. 


Q:  What  were  the  most  successful  initiatives  you  undertook  in  Arkansas  to 
improve  the  health  of  teenagers,  and  why  do  you  think  they  were  effective? 


A  combination  of  various  initiatives  have  contributed  to  efforts  to 
improve  adolescent  health  in  Arkansas.  The  key  is  focusing  public 
attention  the  health  concerns  of  young  people,  educating  both  public 
health  personnel  and  the  general  public,  and  making  health  services 
accessible  through  approaches  such  as  school-based  or  school-linked 
health  initiatives. 

I  think  efforts  such  as  the  Arkansas  "time  bomb"  initiative  and  the 
community  health  promotion  project  are  examples  of  successful  initiatives. 
The  "time  bomb"  initiative  was  a  joint  venture  between  the  Arkansas 
Department  of  Public  Health  and  the  local  NBC  affiliate  to  target  PSA's  at 
youth.  This  particular  initiative  won  a  Peabody  Award.  Another  example  is 
the  Community  Health  Promotion  Projects  which  through  funding  from  the 
Kaiser  Foundation  provided  support  for  five  community  based  projects  to 
work  with  adolescents  in  areas  that  had  high  rates  of  teenage  pregnancy. 


Q:  In  your  role,  do  you  plan  to  advocate  for  a  Federal  program  of  school  based 
clinics?  If  so,  what  role  should  the  parent  play  in  these  settings? 

A:       Yes,  I  do  plan  to  advocate  for  the  establishment  of  school  based  clinics  with 
full  participation  by  local  communities. 

The  role  of  parent  in  a  school  based  setting  is  one  of  partnership  with  the 
health  care  provider  and  the  school.  In  Arkansas,  no  service  is  provided  to 
the  student  without  the  consent  of  the  parent  The  parent  chooses  and 
consents  to  the  services  provided  to  their  child  and  works  together  with  the 
school  and  health  care  provider  to  keep  the  child  healthy  and  ready  to  learn. 


TEEN  PREGNANCY 


Q:  I  understand  that  two  of  the  Arkansas  School  Based  Clinics  distribute  birth 
control  on  site  Should  all  school  based  clinics  do  this?  If  not,  who  should  decide 
which  programs  do? 

A:  The  school  based  clinics  in  Arkansas  that  dispense  condoms  or  birth  control 
on-site  do  so  at  the  request  of  die  local  school  board.  This  is,  and  should  be,  a 
local  decision  of  the  school  board  and  the  school  to  choose  the  services  to  be 
offered.  No  service  should  be  provided  to  a  student  without  the  consent  of 
the  parent. 


176 

Q:  What  are  the  best  methods  to  reduce  the  rise  in  teen  pregnancy  across  the 
country?  Which  of  these  do  you  advocate? 

A:       I  believe  that  the  best  methods  include: 

(1)  Education:  Children  who  are  doing  well  in  school  are  three  times  less 
likely  to  be  teen  parents.  If  children  are  to  do  well  in  school,  we  must  start 
with  early  childhood  education  for  all  children,  especially  for  those  at  greatest 
risk.  Children  that  live  in  poor  socioeconomic  environments  are  also  more 
likely  to  be  teen  parents.  The  combination  of  doing  poorly  in  school  and  low 
socioeconomic  status  increases  risk  nine  fold.  We  must  also  educate  parents 
on  how  to  be  good  parents  and  how  to  educate  their  children.  We  need 
multiple  strategies  for  most  adolescents,  nurturing  parents,  supportive 
community,  education,  early  and  continuous  availability  of  health  and 
contraceptive  services,  in  addition  to  hope  for  the  future; 

(2)  Development  and  dissemination  of  health  education  curricula:  These 
curricula  would  be  part  of  a  comprehensive  health  education  program  which 
begins  in  the  early  grades  at  age-appropriate  levels.  I  would  include  education 
on  reasons  to  delay  sexual  activity,  especially  targeted  to  younger  adolescents, 
but  also  including  complete  information  on  contraceptives; 

(3)  Support  for  school  based  and  school  linked  services:  Funding  support 
would  ensure  the  provision  of  comprehensive  health  education  and  services. 
This  support  would  be  provided  for  those  communities  that  request  it; 

(4)  Increase  outreach  efforts:  Outreach  efforts  would  include  disseminating 
information  to  demystify  clinic  procedure  as  well  as  to  dispel  myths  and 
incorrect  information  about  sexuality  and  contraceptives.  Information  would 
be  delivered  to  adolescents  through  group  education  and  familiarization 
sessions  at  clinics,  presentations  in  schools  and  in  other  community  centers; 

(5)  Enhanced  counseling  services;  and 

(6)  Making  contraceptives  available  and  accessible  to  every  person  who  is  at 
risk  of  having  an  unintended  pregnancy. 


I  advocate  any  and  all  of  these  methods  in  order  to  help  reduce  the  incidence 
of  adolescent  pregnancy. 

Q:  During  your  tenure,  the  number  of  abortions  for  15  to  19-year-old  women 
decreased  from  2,028  in  1987  to  1,736  in  1991.  Why  do  you  think  this 
happened? 

A:  The  absolute  number  of  abortions  for  15  to  19-year-old  women  is 
dropping  partly  because  the  number  of  teen  women  is  declining.  Since 
all  states  do  not  collect  information  on  abortions,  accurate  national  data 
are  hard  to  come  by,  but  it  appears  that  this  decline  is  a  national 
phenomenon. 


MATERNAL  AND  CHILD  HEALTH 


While  in  Arkansas,  you  implemented  policies  which  appear  to  have  improved  the 
health  of  mothers  and  their  infants. 


177 

Q:  I  understand  the  percentage  of  women  who  did  not  receive  prenatal  care  in 
the  first  trimester  decreased  for  335  percent  to  28.6  percent  from  1987  to  1991. 
What  programs  did  you  implement  to  increase  prenatal  care?  What  special 
initiatives  do  you  plan  to  address  this  issues  in  your  role  as  surgeon  general? 

A:  I'm  very  proud  that  the  number  of  women  seeking  early  pre-natal  care 
increased  during  my  tenure.  The  major  programs  implemented  in 
Arkansas  to  increase  this  number  were  related  to  increasing  Medicaid 
coverage  from  29%  to  185%  of  poverty  and  having  presumptive 
eligibility  so  pregnant  women  could  be  Medicaid  covered  from  their 
initial  visit  to  the  health  department.  Secondly,  we  had  excellent 
Healthy  Babies  campaign  where  mothers  were  rewarded  with  coupon 
books  for  coming  in  for  early  prenatal  care  We  increased  awareness  of 
the  entire  community  of  the  need  for  early  prenatal  care  by  involving 
our  businesses,  schools,  churches,  civic  groups  and  others.  We 
extended  our  clinic  hours  to  make  services  more  convenient  for 
mothers.  We  improved  our  education  of  mothers  so  they  would  know 
to  come  in  early  and  to  tell  their  friends  about  coming  in  early.  We 
also  improved  our  public  health  facilities  to  make  them  more  user 
friendly  so  women  would  want  to  come  to  our  clinics  to  receive  early 
prenatal  care. 

If  confirmed  as  Surgeon  General,  I  plan  to  address  infant  mortality 
with  some  of  the  same  strategies  developed  in  Arkansas  and  other 
states.   We  need  to  evaluate  the  best  of  these  programs  and  make  them 

available  for  all  states  so  they  can  tailor  the  programs  to  fit  the  needs  of 

their  community. 


Q:  The  number  of  children  screened  for  development  and  adequate  growth 
increased  dramatically  in  Arkansas  during  your  tenure.  You  promoted 
screening  in  a  variety  of  non-clinic  settings,  including  WIC  application 
centers.  Do  you  plan  to  address  children's  health  issues  in  your  new  role?  If 
so,  what  are  your  plans? 

A:  Early  periodic  screening  diagnosis  and  treatment  (EPSDT)  was 
markedly  increased  during  my  tenure  at  Arkansas.  This  was  again 
related  to  making  sure  that  children  in  the  health  department  received 
whatever  services  they  needed,  whether  it  was  for  WIC, 
immunizations  or  their  EPSDT  screen.  We  took  advantage  of  every 
opportunity  to  serve  our  children. 

Secondly,  we  changed  the  periodicity  schedule  for  immunizations  and 
well  baby  check-ups  in  the  State  of  Arkansas  to  make  it  conform  more 
to  what  pediatricians  were  doing  in  their  offices. 

Thirdly,  we  made  EPSDT  forms  available  in  physicians'  offices  and  in 
health  departments  so  they  did  not  have  to  be  scheduled  by  DHS,  the 
administrator  of  Medicaid  in  Arkansas.  This  put  more  responsibility 
on  parents,  it  allowed  them  to  make,  their  own  appointments  rather 
than  just  be  mailed  an  appointment  time  by  DHS  without  regard  to 
when  parents  could  best  keep  their  appointment.  The  "no  show"  rate 
for  EPSDT  decreased. 

Fourthly,  we  increased  the  awareness  and  training  of  our  nurses  and 
nurse  practitioners,  many  of  whom  could  do  the  screening  themselves. 


178 

I  definitely  plan  to  address  children's  health  issues  in  my  new  role.  I 
have  been  a  strong  advocate  for  children's  health  for  many  years  now 
both  as  a  pediatrician,  a  pediatric  endocrinologist  and  a  health  director. 
I  plan  to  continue  these  activities.  I  feel  that  we  cannot  educate 
children  if  they  are  not  healthy  and  we  can't  keep  them  healthy  if  they 
are  not  educated.  I  will  strongly  push  for  continued  early  prenatal  care 
for  all  mothers.  I  would  like  for  every  child  bom  in  America  to  be  a 
planned  and  wanted  child.  I  would-like  for  that  child  to  be  able  to  be 
healthy,  educated,  motivated  and  to  have  hope.  I  would  push  for  early 
childhood  education  for  all  children,  especially  those  at  the  highest 
risk.  I  want  to  make  health  services  available  to  all  children  as  a  right 
and  not  related  to  their  ability  to  pay. 

I  will  strongly  support  those  concerns  which  help  to  strengthen 
families  such  as  early  childhood  education,  parenting  education,  male 
responsibility  programs,  college  scholarships  and  work  for  a  healthy 
environment  which  will  allow  children  to  grow  up  healthy,  motivated 
and  with  hope. 


PUBLIC  HEALTH  AND  HEALTH  CARE  REFORM 


Recently,  you  called  for  an  expanded  role  for  public  health  in  a  reformed  health  care 
system.  One  result  of  health  care  reform  might  be  universal  insurance  for  all 
Americans  and  a  reduction  in  die  financial  burden  placed  on  State  and  local  public 
health  departments. 

Q:  Freed  from  paying  for  the  costs  of  health  care  for  many  persons,  what  will  be  the 
role  of  State  and  the  Federal  public  health  in  the  future?  Will  there  be  a  need  for 
new  Federal  public  health  resources? 

A:       It  would  be  premature  for  me  to  comment  on  the  roles  of  the  State  and 

Federal  public  health  care  agencies  since  the  specifics  of  the  Presidenfs  health 
care  reform  plan  are  still  being  finalized.  However,  I  believe  that  the  State 
and  local  public  health  departments  will  continue  to  play  a  vital  role  in 
meeting  the  health  care  needs  of  their  communities. 

With  regard  to  additional  Federal  public  health  resources,  I  would  not  want 
to  preempt  the  President  on  this  issue  I  am  sure  this  will  be  addressed  when 
the  health  care  reform  plan  is  announced  in  the  coming  weeks. 

Q:  In  your  position  as  surgeon  general,  what  type  of  reorganization  do  you  plan  for 
the  Public  Health  Service's  Commissioned  Corps? 

A:       My  concern  is  to  make  sure  that  the  Commissioned  Corps  uses  its  resources 
to  the  greatest  benefit  of  the  public  health  I  have  several  ideas  in  this  regard. 

(1)  We  may  decide  to  provide  incentives  for  medical  officers  to  move  out  of 
some  administrative  positions  and  into  jobs  involving  the  delivery  of  patient 
care.  I  feel  that  we  should  use  trained  physicians  to  provide  needed  care  in 


179 

Indian  Health  Clinics,  and  at  community  and  migrant  health  centers 
wherever  possible; 

(2)  Also,  we  should  consider  options  for  revising  the  Corps  policies  to  attract 
even  more  health  care  professionals  into  public  service; 

(3)  Finally,  we  should  look  at  how  the  corps  could  be  used  more  effectively  in 
case  of  natural  disasters  like  the  catastrophic  flood  in  the  midwest 


Oj  What  role,  if  any,  will  you  play  in  the  health  care  reform  discussions? 

A:       I  don't  know  the  exact  role  that  I  will  play  in  health  care  reform  discussions. 

1990  ARKANSAS  FINANCIAL  DISCLOSURE  FORM: 


Your  1990  Arkansas  Financial  Disclosure  form  is  missing  from  the  Secretary  of 
State's  office. 

Q:  Could  you  provide  information  regarding  the  amounts  and  sources  of  income 
you  listed  on  the  1990  form  in  addition  to  your  salary  as  director  of  ADH? 

A:       For  my  spouse,  the  Little  Rock  School  District  would  have  been  listed  in 
Section  3.  The  block  "more  than  $12,500"  would  have  been  checked. 

For  myself,  Mercy  Nursing  Home  would  have  been  listed.  The  box  marked 
"more  than  $1,000"  would  have  been  checked. 


GIVING  ENDORSEMENTS  TO  GROUPS 
SEEKING  GRANTS  FROM  THE  ADH 


On  at  least  three  occasions  you  gave  written  endorsements  to  groups  seeking  grants 
from  the  Arkansas  Dept  of  Health  during  your  tenure  as  director  of  the  agency. 

Q:  Do  you  feel  endorsements  for  groups  applying  for  funds  from  the  agency  over 
which  you  presided  represented  a  conflict  of  interest? 

A:       On  the  three  occasions  that  are  referenced  in  this  question,  I  do  not  believe 
that  my  endorsements  represented  a  conflict  of  interest   It  is  my  recollection 
that  on  each  of  those  three  occasions,  I  was  unaware  at  the  time  that  the 
endorsement  was  solicited  that  ADH  would  be  the  disburser  of  funds. 

With  respect  to  the  Planned  Parenthood  letters,  my  recollection  is  reinforced 
by  Nancy  Liebbe,  Executive  Director  of  Planned  Parenthood  of  Greater 
Arkansas.  She  has  written  the  Committee  stating  that  for  the  two  letters  that 
she  solicited  from  me,  she  did  not  inform  me  that  the  grant  applications 
would  be  made  to  the  ADH-  indeed,  she  believed  on  each  occasion  that  the 
Centers  for  Disease  Control  and  Prevention  would  be  funding  the  grants 
directly. 

Q:  If  confirmed  as  U-S.  Surgeon  General,  would  you  give  written  endorsements  to 
groups  applying  to  the  National  Institutes  of  Health  for  research  grants? 

A:        No. 


180 

ACCRUED  VACATION  DAYS  AS 
CONSULTANT  TO  US.  DEFT.  OF  HHS: 


During  your  testimony  before  the  Senate  Labor  and  Human  Resources  Committee 
on  July  23, 1993  your  stated  mat  you  had  accrued  60  days  of  vacation  from  your  job  as 
director  of  the  state  DepL  of  Health  which  you  used  as  a  consultant  with  the  US. 
Dept  of  Health  &  Human  Services  beginning  April  18, 1993. 

Q:  It  is  my  understanding  the  maximum  number  of  vacation  days  allowed  to  be 
accrued  and  carried  over  annually  by  Arkansas  state  employees  is  30.  Could  you 
reconcile  this  apparent  discrepancy? 

A:       It  is  also  my  understanding  that  the  maximum  number  of  vacation  days  that 
can  be  carried  over  annually  by  Arkansas  State  employees  is  thirty.  As  of 
January  1, 1993, 1  carried  over  the  full  thirty  days  of  leave.  Thereafter,  I  earned 
leave  at  a  rate  of  15  hours  per  month. 


Q:  How  many  vacation  days  (8  hours  per  day)  did  you  eventually  use  as  a  consultant 
with  the  U.S.  Dept  of  Health  &  Human  Services? 

A:        28  days. 


SALARY  ARRANGEMENTS  AS 
ARKANSAS  DEPT.  OF  HEALTH  DIRECTOR 


The  Arkansas  Attorney  General  has  issued  at  least  three  opinions  appearing  to 
conclude  the  arrangement  under  which  you  were  paid  a  salary  by  UAMS  as  director 
of  the  ADH,  was  legally  questionable. 

Q:  Were  you  notified  that  you  were  possibly  violating  state  law  by  being  paid  a  salary 
exceeding  the  legal  cap  for  authorized  salaries  to  state  agency  directors? 

A:       See  the  answers  on  "Pay  Issue"  to  Senator  Coats'  questions. 

Q:  Since  you  were  being  paid  by  both  UAMS  and  the  state  health  dept,  could  you 
explain  how  many  hours  you  continued  to  work  as  a  professor  on  the  staff  of  UAMS 
while  holding  down  the  full-time  job  of  state  health  director? 

A:       I  received  a  single  paycheck  from  UAMS,  where  I  was  a  tenured  professor  of 
pediatrics.  My  understanding  was  that  the  ADH  contracted  with  UAMS  for 
my  services.  I  performed  occasional  services  for  UAMS  such  as  publishing 
scholarly  articles,  taking  medical  students  on  rounds,  and  lecturing  at  UAMS 
seminars.  I  also  served  on  the  Human  Research  Advisory  Committee  and 
was  a  member  of  the  faculty  in  the  division  of  Pediatric  Endocrinology  and 
performed  duties  such  as  clinics  rounds  and  consultations  with  faculty, 
students  and  housestaff.  I  estimate  that  I  averaged  in  the  vicinity  of  8-10 
hours  per  week  on  such  activities. 


181 

AUTHORIZATION  OF  TOM  SPROLES' 
CONSULTING  CONTRACT  WITH  ADH: 


In  early  1990,  as  director  of  the  ADH,  you  reportedly  authorized  a  consulting  fee  of 
$18,000  with  Tom  Sproles  who  had  donated  his  private  Central  Arkansas  Home 
Health  Agency,  to  the  state  health  department.  You  also  approved  a  contract  by 
which  the  ADH  would  lease  Sproles'  building  housing  his  agency  for  five  years  at 
$21,063  annually. 

Q:  Could  you  explain  the  reason  for  approving  this  consulting  fee  for  Sproles  as  well 
as  the  arrangement  by  which  the  ADH  acquired  Sproles'  home  health  agency? 

A:        In  early  1990  two  home  health  agencies  in  Pulaski  County  offered  their 
agencies  to  the  Arkansas  Department  of  Health  as  both  of  these 
agencies  were  failing  in  terms  of  cash  flow.  Prior  to  being  able  to 
negotiate  a  deal  one  of  these  agencies  failed  leaving  no  one  in  Pulaski 
County  that  provided  many  in-home  health  services  to  the  poor, 
minorities  and  the  underinsured.  Mr.  Sproles's  agency  fell  into  this 
category.  Since  he  had  provided  services  in  this  community  for  a  long 
period  of  time,  he  wanted  to  be  assured  that  the  personnel  and  the 
patients  were  cared  for  and  that  the  transition  occurred  in  an  orderly 
manner.  The  ADH  did  not  have  a  Home  Health  Agency  in  Pulaski 
County.  We  wanted  to  serve  this  county  and  needed  a  consultant  with 
experience  to  help  with  patient  and  physician  recruitment.  Therefore, 
we  hired  Mr.  Sproles. 

As  to  the  building  lease,  the  State  Building  Service  evaluated  and 
approved  the  building  and  equipment  lease  for  the  $21,063  annually. 


ARKANSAS  DEPT.  OF  HEALTH  FAILURE 
TO  PAY  SOCIAL  SECURITY.  TAXES  FOR  EMPLOYEES: 


Q:  Was  the  Arkansas  Department  of  Health  (ADH)  cited  by  the  IRS  in  1989  for 
failure  to  withhold  Social  Security  taxes  for  personal  home  care  aides  who  were 
employed  and  paid  by  the  ADH? 

A:       See  the  answer  to  Senator  Coats'  question  number  5  under  "Social  Security." 


Q:  To  the  best  of  your  knowledge,  how  much  in  back  taxes  and  penalties  did  the  state 
pay? 

A:        As  I  recall,  ADH  paid  back  social  security  taxes  in  the  approximate  amount  of 
$200,000  to  $300,000.  The  IRS  did  not  assess  penalties. 


Q:  Were  you,  in  your  position  as  director  of  ADH,  held  accountable  for  this 
omission? 


I  was  not  held  accountable  for  this  omission.  I  believe  that  the  ADH  practice 
of  not  withholding  Social  Security  taxes  predated  my  appointment  as  Director 
of  ADH.   When  I  learned  that  the  IRS  had  questioned  ADH's  failure  to 
withhold  Social  Security  taxes,  I  directed  my  staff  to  respond  immediately  and 
appropriately  to  the  IRS  inquiry.  I  believe  our  response  satisfied  the  Internal 
Revenue  Service. 


182 

PULSE  HOME  CARE 


In  1992,  during  your  tenure  as  ADH  director,  the  ADH  entered  into  an  exclusive 
contract  with  Pulse  Home  Care,  a  Little  Rock  home  care  staffing  agency. 

Q:  Did  this  arrangement  violate  Arkansas  government  contracting  laws  and  ethics 
when  there  were  at  least  6-7  firms  in  the  state-which  could  have  provided  this  type 
of  personnel  staffing? 

A:        No.  Information  was  sent  to  all  staffing  agencies  in  the  state.  Two  of 
the  three  firms  made  offers.  Only  one  agreed  to  enter  into  a  contractual 
relationship  with  the  department 

Q:  What  criteria  did  you  and  your  senior  ADH  staff  use  in  deciding  to  contract  with 
Pulse  to  provide  home  care  staffing? 

A:        There  were  two  criteria:  1)  the  agency  had  to  be  in  the  staffing  business; 
and  2)  the  agency  could  not  be  a  home  health  agency. 

Q:  Did  you  personally  authorize  this  contract  between  Pulse  and  the  ADH? 

A:        No.  Contracts  are  usually  handled  by  the  local  program  person  and 
presented  to  the  Deputy  Director.  All  contracts  of  mis  nature  have  to 
be  presented  to  a  legislative  committee  for  their  advice.  Only  if  there 
was  a  question  or  if  problems  arose  were  they  discussed  with  me.  I 
would  then  present  the  contract  before  the  legislative  committee  rather 
than  the  local  program  director. 

In  this  case,  the  initial  contract  was  approved  by  the  legislative 
committee.  Only  upon  an  amendment  of  the  contract  did  I  have  to 

appear  before  the  legislative  committee.  There  were  several  home 
health  agencies  in  the  state  objecting  to  the  contract  at  that  time. 


Q:  How  much  did  Pulse  Home  Care  bill  the  ADH  per  hour  for  home  care  patient 
staffing? 

A:  The  billing  varied  depending  on  the  area  of  the  state.  The  range  is  between 
$9  -  $24  per  hour.  The  usual  rate  was  $18  per  hour. 

Q:  How  many  patients  has  the  ADH  referred  to  Pulse  Home  Care  since  the 
contractual  arrangement  began? 

A:  Since  November  1992,  the  total  number  of  patients  served  for  continuous 
care  is  forty-four.  There  are  currently  twelve  patients  being  provided 
continuous  care.  In  addition.  Pulse  may  provide  nursing  staff  for  occasional 
intermittent  visit  services  for  patients  on  weekends  or  in  areas  where 
recruitment  of  nurses  is  particularly  difficult.  Pulse  provided  staff  which 
made  approximately  2,000  visits  during  FY  "93. 


183 

Q:  What  percentage  of  the  private  home  care  industry  business  does  this  represent? 

A:  For  continuous  nursing  care,  it  represents  eight  to  ten  percent  since  there  are 
less  than  150  continuous  care  patients  in  the  state.  Of  the  total  home  health 
care,  the  Pulse  contract  represents  0.1%. 

NARCOTICS  FOR  MEDICAL  USE 


You  have  been  quoted  as  advocating  the  use  of  marijuana  for  patients  suffering 
from  glaucoma,  cancer,  and  AIDS. 

Q:  If  confirmed  as  Surgeon  General,  would  you  advocate  the  use  of  narcotics  for 
medical  use  that  are  currently  prohibited  by  the  Federal  Government? 

A:        Research  is  currently  being  performed  as  to  the  therapeutic  benefits  of 
marijuana  for  such  diseases  as  glaucoma,  cancer,  and  AIDS.  I  believe 
the  Secretary  is  planning  to  review  the  issue  of  marijuana's  use  for 
those  purposes.  I  support  such  a  review  and  would,  therefore,  defer  a 

conclusive  statement  on  the  matter  until  the  review  has  been 
completed. 

I  would  not,  however,  advocate  any  action  that  was  contrary  to  law  or, 
even  if  lawful,  contrary  to  the  policy  of  the  Department  of  Health  and 
Human  Services. 


TEEN  PREGNANCY  INCREASE 

Its  been  reported  that  during  your  tenure  as  State  Health  Director,  Arkansas'  teen 
pregnancy  rate  and  the  incidence  of  sexually  transmitted  diseases  rose  dramatically. 

Q.  Could  you  state  the  actual  pregnancy  rate  and  the  rate  of  sexually  transmitted 
diseases  during  your  term  and  its  relation  to  the  national  average? 

A:  Statistics  concerning  "teen  pregnancy"  include  live  births,  induced  abortions, 
fetal  deaths,  and  spontaneous  abortions  of  15-19  year-old  women.  "Teen 
fertility"  represents  the  number  of  live  births  to  women  ages  15-19  divided  by 
the  total  number  of  women  ages  15-19.  "Teen  pregnancy"  represents  the 
number  of  live  births,  abortions,  and  an  estimate  of  fetal  deaths  to  women 
aged  15-19  divided  by  the  total  number  of  women  aged  15-19. 

Arkansas  1987  1988  1989  1990  1991 


teen  pregnancy. 

105.5 

108.6 

113.0 

118.9 

118.4 

teen  fertility 

683 

70.8 

772 

79.9 

77.8 

"U.S.A. 

teen  pregnancy. 

105.8 

110.8 

n/a 

n/a 

n/a 

teen  fertility 

50.6 

53.0 

573 

59.9 

n/a 

184 

With  regard  to  sexually  transmitted  diseases  (STDs),  only  cases'  of  syphilis  and 
gonorrhea  are  recorded  age-specifically  at  the  CDC.  (Rate  is  the  number  of 
cases  (males  and  females)  ages  15-19  per  100,000.) 

U.S.A.  1987  1988  1989  1990  1991 


syphilis 

19.2 

21.8 

24.9 

29.9 

29.8 

gonorrhea 

1025.9 

10325 

-10525 

1060.6 

1098.6 

Arkansas 

1987 

1988 

1989 

1990 

1991 

syphilis 

19 

17 

22 

20 

41 

gonorrhea 

1500 

1400 

1300 

1400 

1222 

•Arkansas  Department  of  Health 

-National  Center  for  Health  Statistics,  CDC,  DHHS 


Q.  How  do  you  explain  this  in  terms  of  your  emphasis  on  birth  control  counseling 
and  free  distribution  of  condoms? 

A:  Decreases  in  teen  fertility  do  not  happen  overnight.  But  from  1987  -1990,  teen 
fertility  in  Arkansas  increased  at  a  slower  rate  than  that  in  the  U.S.  The 
changes  may  have  happened  faster  if  more  of  the  programs  and  approaches  I 
sought  had  been  implemented.  Throughout  the  state  there  are  24 
comprehensive  school  health  service  centers,  and  22  schools  are  on  the 
waiting  list  for  funding  to  implement  already  approved  student  health 
centers.  Only  4  centers  currently  offer  contraceptives  as  part  of 
comprehensive  health  services,  hardly  enough  to  have  an  effect  on  statewide 
statistics. 


INCOMPLETE  REAL  ESTATE  HOLDINGS 


It  appears  that  the  real  estate  holdings  you  listed  on  the  Senate  financial  disclosure 
form  are  incomplete  and  in  some  cases,  cany  an  incorrect  address  for  individual 
properties. 

Q:  Could  you  please  provide  an  updated  list  of  real  estate  properties  owned  by  you 
and  your  husband  that  include  correct  addresses  for  each  property? 

A:       Attachment  B  to  these  responses  is  a  chart,  previously  provided  to  Senator 
Coats,  which  updates  information  on  the  real  estate  properties  owned  by 
myself  and  my  husband. 


185 

RESPONSES  OF  M.  JOYCELYN  ELDERS,  M.D. 

TO 

QUESTIONS  SUBMITTED  BY 

SENATOR  JUDD  GREGG 


SCHOOL-BASED  CLINICS  IN  ARKANSAS 

1.  What  proportion  of  the  school  districts  in  Arkansas  had  school-based 
clinics  in  1990, 1991, 1992  and  1993? 

A:       See  Chart  Below 

School-Based  Clinics  in  Arkansas 

1990  1991  1992  1993 

#  of  schools  with 

SBCs  8  23  24  24 

#  of  school  districts 

with  SBCs  5  14  15  15 

#  of  school  districts 

in  Arkansas  328  323  320  316 

Proportion  of  School 

District  with  SBCs  15%  4.4%  4.4%  4.4% 


Q:  How  many  individual  schools  and  individual  school  districts,  in  those 
year  in  Arkansas  had  school-based  clinics? 

A:       See  Chart  in  response  to  above  question. 

3.  I  am  aware  that  the  teenage  pregnancy  rate  in  Arkansas  during  the  years  1987- 
1991  went  up  at  about  the  same  rate  as  the  national  rate.  Has  anyone  ever  studied 
the  teen  pregnancy  rate  within  the  school  districts  in  Arkansas  that  had  school-based 
dinks  and  compared  that  to  the  rate  for  the  remainder  of  Arkansas?  If  so,  what 
were  the  results? 

A;       These  studies  are  presently  being  done. 

4.  In  Arkansas,  some  school-based  clinics  dispense  contraceptives  and  others  do  not. 
What  proportion  do?  Is  there  any  evidence  that  the  rate  of  teenage  pregnancy  in 
those  that  do  distribute  condoms  is  lower  than  in  those  that  do  not?  If  so,  please 
describe  it 

A:        Only  4  schools  in  Arkansas  dispense  contraceptives.    Studies  are  incomplete 
and  are  presently  being  done. 

5.  Do  you  have  any  non-anecdotal  evidence  that  school-based  clinics  are  an  effective 
way  to  bring  down  the  rate  of  teenage  pregnancy?  If  so,  could  you  please  describe  it? 


186 

A:  Yes.  A  school-linked  program,  designed  and  administered  by  The  Johns 
Hopkins  School  of  Medicine  and  carried  out  with  the  cooperation  of  the 
administrators  of  four  Baltimore  Public  Schools,  provided  sexuality  and 
contraceptive  education,  individual  and  group  counseling  and  medical  and 
contraceptive  services.  An  evaluation  of  the  program  found  that,  in  addition 
to  increases  in  contraceptive  use  and  decreases  in  pregnancy,  initiation  of 
sexual  activity  was  delayed  an  average  of  seven  months.  Another  evaluation 
of  six  diverse  school-based  clinics  found  that  education  on  pregnancy  and 
AIDS  prevention,  in  combination  with  contraceptive  services,  increased 
contraceptive  use  among  sexually  active  students.  There  were  no  significant 
differences  between  clinic  and  nondinic  sites  with  respect  to  sexual  activity 
rates. 

Zabin,  VS.,  et  aL,  "Evaluation  of  a  Pregnancy  Prevention  Program  for  Urban 
Teenagers",  Family  Planning  Perspectives.  May /June  1986. 


Kirby,  D.,  et  al.,  "Sue  School-Based  Clinics:  Their  Reproductive  Health 
Services  and  Impact  on  Sexual  Behavior",  Family  Planning  Perspectives. 
January/February  1991. 


BANKING  RELATED  QUESTIONS 


6.  You  were  reprimanded  by  the  Comptroller  of  the  Currency  for  unsafe  and 
unsound  banking  practices  as  part  of  votes  you  made  as  a  member  of  the  Board  of 
Directors  for  an  Arkansas  bank.  Were  you  ever  sued  in  relation  to  your  work  on 
any  bank  board?  If  so,  could  you  please  describe  the  complaint  against  you,  your 
explanations  for  tine  conduct,  the  facts  of  the  matter,  and  the  disposition  of  the  suit? 

A:       In  the  spring  of  1989,  outside  investors  achieved  a  "hostile"  takeover  of  the 
NBA  As  a  result,  in  or  about  March  1989,  a  majority  of  the  directors  of  the 
NBA  including  myself,  were  removed  as  directors  by  vote  of  the 
shareholders. 

Following  that  removal,  the  new  directors  caused  the  NBA  to  sue  the  former 
executives  and  board  members,  alleging  various  breaches  of  duties  to  the 
NBA. 

The  complaint  was  filed  in  or  about  1992. 

Thereafter,  defendants  filed  a  "Joint  Answer  and  Counterclaims,''  denying 
that  the  former  officers  and  directors  had  engaged  in  any  improper  conduct  or 
breach  of  duties  to  the  NBA  To  the  extent  that  applicable  bank  laws  and 
regulations  may  have  been  violated,  such  violations  occurred  without  the 
knowledge  or  intent  of  the  outside  directors. 

I  believe  that  all  of  the  former  executives  and  board  members  have  now 
agreed  on  settlement  terms  with  the  National  Bank  of  Arkansas.  Pursuant  to 
that  agreement  the  settlement  terms  are  confidential. 

I  note  that  on  July  21, 1993,  in  response  to  newspaper  articles  relating  to  this 
lawsuit,  the  Davidson  Law  Firm,  Ltd.,  which  represented  the  plaintiffs  in  this 
matter,  issued  a  statement.   In  that  statement,  plaintiffs'  counsel  state- 

With  respect  to  Dr.  Joycelyn  Elders,  she  was  joined  as  a  party 
defendant  in  her  representative  capacity  as  a  former  outside 


187 

director  of  National  Bank  of  Arkansas  and  National  Banking 
Corporation  from  1981  through  March  29, 1989  at  which  time  an 
entirely  new  Board  of  directors  was  elected  by  the  shareholders. 
Dr.  Elders  was  sued  only  in  her  representative  capacity  as  a 
former  director  of  the  bank  and  holding  company.  There  were 
no  allegations  of  personal  wrongdoing  against  her  individually 
and  no  allegations  of  bank  fraudjar  common  law  fraud  against 
her  or  any  of  the  other  defendants.  The  lawsuit  sought  civil 
money  damages  from  all  the  former  board  members.  Fraud  was 
not  alleged  in  the  lawsuit 


Both  the  bank  officers  and  its  attorneys  have  a  high  regard  for 
Dr.  Elders  personally,  professionally,  as  a  physician  and  a  public 
servant. 


TEEN  PREGNANCY 


7.  During  your  confirmation  hearing,  you  listed  the  following  as  the  causes  of  the 
rising  teenage  pregnancy:   (1)  in  earlier  times,  more  teenagers  were  married  than 
currently,  (2)  children  are  now  going  into  puberty  earlier  than  previously,  (3)  70 
percent  of  our  teenage  pregnancies  occur  between  three  and  five  o'clock  in  the 
afternoon,  when  the  children  are  home,  and  (4)  children  are  now  poorer  than  they 
were  before-  Is  this  an  accurate  representation  of  your  views? 

A:        Yes,  but  I  would  like  to  expand  on  my  answer. 

Each  year  in  America  more  than  one  million  girls  between  the  ages  of  10  - 19 
years  become  pregnant   Many  of  these  young  women  are  unmarried.  In 
addition  to  the  causes  of  rising  teenage  pregnancy  listed  in  my  testimony  are 
(1)  increasing  sexual  activity  among  teens,  (2)  earlier  age  of  starting  sexual 
activity,  (3)  younger  teens  are  less  likely  to  use  contraceptives,  (4)  lack  of 
knowledge  of  contraceptives  and  (5)  increasing  social  problems  impacting  the 
behavior  of  adolescents.  I  believe  we  must  educate  our  children  so  that  they 
will  make  responsible  decisions. 


8.  In  addition  to  those  causes  in  Question  7,  are  there  any  other  causes  of  the  high 
rate  of  teenage  pregnancy  in  the  United  States,  in  your  opinion?  Please  explain. 


Yes.  Adding  to  the  increased  pregnancy  rates  in  the  VS.  is  a  lower  level  of 
educational  attainment,  increased  drug  and  alcohol  abuse,  lower  socio- 
economic status,  the  lack  of  health  education  in  our  homes  and  in  our 
schools,  and  less  community  involvement  and  family  support  for 
adolescents. 


9.  I  was  interested  in  your  statement  that  70  percent  of  teenage  pregnancies  occur 
between  three  o'clock  and  five  o'clock  in  the  afternoon.  I  am  interested  in  looking 
into  that  further.  Could  you  please  supply  me  with  the  source  for  that  statistic. 


188 

A.      The  well  known  Kantner  and  Zelnik  surveys  of  adolescent  women  found 
that  more  than  75  percent  reported  their  first  sexual  encounter  occurred  in 
either  their  own  home,  their  partner's  home  or  a  friend's  home.   A 
comparable  proportion  reported  their  most  recent  sexual  encounter  also 
occurring  in  one  of  those  three  places.  The  most  important  point,  however, 
is  the  absence  of  parental  supervision.  For  example,  a  classic  study  (Hogan 
and  Kitagawa)  found  that  adolescent  girls  were  76  percent  more  likely  to  be 
sexually  active  if  parental  supervision~of  dating  was  lax  rather  than  strict. 


NURSING  HOME  RELATED  QUESTIONS 


10.  In  your  confirmation  hearing,  you  said  that  the  Arkansas  Health  Department 
had  no  relationship  to  the  nursing  home  in  which  you  worked.  Did  the  Health 
Department  pay  Medicaid  claims  by  the  home  or  its  residents?  Did  the  Health 
Department  conduct  any  licensing,  quality  assurance,  or  sanitation  activities  in 
regard  to  the  home?  If  so,  please  give  details. 

A:       The  Arkansas  Department  of  Health  does  not  have  any  involvement  with 
the  payment  of  Medicaid  claims.  The  Arkansas  Department  of  Health  does 
not  conduct  any  licensing,  quality  assurance,  or  sanitation  activities  in  regard 
to  nursing  homes. 


11.  Did  you  ever  visit  the  home  in  your  capacity  as  Director  of  the  Arkansas  Health 
Department?  If  so,  please  explain. 

A:       I  did  not  visit  the  Mercy  Nursing  Home  in  my  capacity  as  Director  of  the 
ADH 


12.       Did  you  ever  supply  consultation  to  the  home  by  telephone,  or  to  its 
residents,  while  on  the  job  at  the  Arkansas  Health  Department?  If  so,  please 
explain. 

A:       I  do  not  recall  ever  supplying  consultation  to  the  home  by  telephone,  or  to  its 
residents,  while  on  the  job  at  the  ADH 


QUESTIONS  RELATED  TO  TAXES 

13.  In  the  hearing,  you  seemed  to  say  that  money  was  transferred  from  Mrs.  Elders' 
accounts,  of  which  your  husband  was  guardian,  into  die  joint  checking  account  of 
you  and  your  husband.  The  money  was  then  paid  by  you  or  your  husband  to  the 
nurse  Is  that  accurate?  If  not,  please  explain. 

A:       Mrs.   Elders  received  income  from  retirement  benefits  and  rental  properties 
that  she  owned.  That  income  was  deposited  into  the  joint  checking  account 
of  myself  and  my  husband.  My  husband  or  I  then  paid  Ms.  Ruffin  from  our 
joint  account  Mrs.  Elders  income  was  sufficient  to  cover  the  payments  to  Ms. 
Ruffin. 


189 

14  Why  didn't  your  husband  issue  the  money  to  the  nurse  directly  from  his 
mother's  accounts,  instead  of  first  transferring  the  money  to  your  joint  account  and 
then  issuing  it? 

A:       See  response  to  Question  13. 

15.  In  paying  the  nurse,  was  the  money  used  tcrpay  her  your  money,  your  husband's 
money,  or  Mrs.  Elders'  money? 

A:       The  money  used  to  pay  Ms.  Ruffin  was  Mrs.  Elders'  money. 

16.  In  your  confirmation  hearing,  you  seemed  to  say  that  you  were  not  aware  of  the 
fact  that  the  law  requires  the  payment  of  Social  Security  taxes  until  the  past  few 
weeks.  Is  that  accurate?  To  ask  the  question  another  way,  during  the  time  when 
you  were  issuing  checks  to  the  nurse  for  nursing  care,  did  you  ever  know  that 
failure  to  pay  Social  Security  taxes  was  a  violation  of  the  law?  During  that  time,  did 
anyone  ever  tell  you  that  Social  Security  taxes  were  due  on  the  salary  paid  to  the 
nurse? 

A:       As  I  testified  at  the  hearing,  I  did  not  regard  the  payment  of  social  security 
taxes  on  the  salary  of  the  nurse  employed  by  my  mother-in-law  as  my 
responsibility.  As  a  result,  I  did  not  focus  on  the  nature  of  Ms.  Ruffin 's 
services  for  Mrs.  Elders,  and  any  attendant  tax  liability  that  Mrs.  Elders  may  be 
incurring.  Following  the  increased  attention  in  this  area  since  January  1993, 
and  as  I  began  to  prepare  for  my  confirmation  hearing,  I  decided  it  was 
necessary  to  address  this  issue.  Although  I  do  not  believe  that  my  husband's 
failure,  under  his  power  of  attorney  from  his  mother,  to  pay  the  social 
security  taxes  for  Ms.  Ruffin  is  my  responsibility,  I  decided  to  insist  that  the 
taxes  be  paid  prior  to  the  hearing  to  avoid  any  possible  issue. 


17.  In  your  own  words,  why  weren't  the  taxes  paid? 

A:        Ms.  Ruffin  was  hired  by  my  father-in-law,  not  by  my  husband.  When  my 

father-in-law  died,  my  husband  simply  continued  the  arrangements  that  had 
been  established  by  my  father-in-law,  without  attention  to  whether  any 
additional  requirements  were  necessary.  After  the  attention  given  to  this  area 
earlier  this  year,  we  focused  on  the  problem  and  paid  the  back  taxes,  penalties 
and  interest 


18.  Who  paid  the  back  taxes  to  the  IRS?  Whose  funds  were  used  to  pay  those  back 
taxes? 

A:       The  back  taxes  were  owed  to  the  IRS  by  Mrs.  Elders,  who  is  the  employer. 
Mrs.  Elders  is  97  years  old,  has  Alzheimer's  disease,  and  is  not  currently 
competent  to  handle  her  own  financial  affairs.  My  husband  acted  on  her 
behalf  under  the  power  of  attorney  that  she  granted  to  him  when  she  was 
competent. 

In  light  of  the  desire  to  resolve  this  matter  rapidly,  taxes  were  paid  out  of 
available  funds.   Appropriate  accounting  adjustments  will  be  made  to  reflect 
the  payment  of  these  taxes  from  Mrs.  Elders's  funds. 


190 

19.       Did  you  or  your  husband  ever  take  a  tax  deduction  or  claim  an  exemption  for 
Mrs.  Elders?  Did  you  ever  claim  Mrs.  Elders  as  a  dependent?  If  yes  to  either 
question,  please  supply  details. 

A:       My  husband  and  I  filed  joint  tax  returns.  We  did  not  take  a  tax  deduction  or 
claim  an  exemption  for  Mrs.  Elders  on  our  return.  We  did  not  claim  Mrs. 
Elders  as  a  dependent 


DR.  MALAK 

20.  Would  you  please  describe  in  detail  your  relationship  and  dealings  with  Dr. 
Fahmy  Malak. 

A:       I  have  known  Dr.  Fahmy  Malak  in  his  capacity  as  a  medical  examiner  and  as 
an  employee  in  the  ADH's  AIDS  program. 

As  Director  of  the  ADH,  I  was  Chairman  of  the  State  Medical  Examiner's 
Commission.  Following  some  questions  concerning  Dr.  Malak's  role  as  the 
Arkansas  State  Medical  Examiner,  the  State  Medical  Examiner  Commission 
retained  outside  experts  to  review  Dr.  Malak's  office  and  his  conclusions  in 
several  cases.  In  November  1988,  we  received  a  report  from  the  outside 
experts,  generally  supportive  of  Dr.  Malak.  The  principal  area  that  the  experts 
questioned  was  the  adequacy  of  the  staffing  level  at  the  Office  of  the  Arkansas 
State  Medical  Examiner.  In  or  about  March  1991,  supervision  of  the  Arkansas 
State  Medical  Examiner  was  transferred  to  the  Arkansas  State  Crime 
Laboratory  Board.  I  am  not  a  member  of  mat  Board. 

In  or  about  September  1991,  Dr.  Malak  was  hired  as  an  employee  in  the  ADH's 
AIDS  program.  I  believe  that  he  was  hired  through  the  ordinary  hiring 
processes,  including  submission  of  an  application,  interviews,  and 
recommendation  by  a  hiring  paneL 

I  have  no  personal  relationship  with  Dr.  Malak. 


21.  Did  you  ever  help  exonerate  Dr.  Malak  of  charges  of  negligence,  and  recommend 
him  for  a  raise?  Did  you  ever  hire  Dr.  Malak  to  head  the  Health  Department's  AIDS 
Program? 

A:       I  have  never  helped  exonerate  Dr.  Malak  of  charges  of  negligence.  As  noted 
in  response  to  Question  20,  Dr.  Malak  is  not  the  head  of  the  Arkansas  Health 
Department's  AIDS  Program.  He  was  an  employee  within  mat  program. 
After  the  death  of  the  laboratory  director.  Dr.  Malak  became  a  clinical 
consultant  for  the  laboratory. 

On  July  16, 1993, 1  received  a  memorandum  from  Robert  L.  Horn,  Director  of 
the  State  of  Arkansas  Public  Health  Laboratories.  That  memorandum  states 
in  part  as  follows: 

Dr.  Malak  is  functioning  as  a  clinical  consultant  to  the 
laboratory's  clients,  Le.,  local  health  units,  hospitals,  clinics  and 
other  private  providers.  In  this  capacity,  he  advises  clients  to 
assure  that  the  appropriate  tests  are  ordered  and  assist  them  in 
interpreting  clinically  significant  results. 


191 

He  is  a  knowledgeable  clinician  and  relates  well  to  laboratory 
clients.  He  screens  selected  laboratory  results  to  assure  that 
values  are  consistent  with  expectations.   His  consultations  with 
users  have  satisfactorily  resolved  clients  questions  when  rare  or 
unusual  results  were  reported. 


Dr.  Malak  is  the  first  clinical  consultant  available  to  the 
laboratory  and  his  function  in  this  capacity  has  been  most 
beneficiaL 


PAY  ARRANGEMENTS  IN  ARKANSAS 

22.  An  allegation  has  been  made  in  the  press  that  you  were  paid  at  the  Arkansas 
Health  Department  under  an  arrangement  that  was  questionable.  According  to  the 
allegation,  you  avoided  a  statutory  cap  on  state  salaries  by  receiving  salary  from 
more  than  one  state  source  simultaneously,  the  Health  Department  and  the 
University  of  Arkansas.  Would  you  please  give  your  side  of  those  allegations. 

A:       See  answers  to  Senator  Coats'  questions  on  "Pay  Issue" 

CONDOMS 


23.  With  regard  to  the  defective  condoms  referred  to  in  your  confirmation  hearing, 
where  in  the  Untied  States  were  the  defective  tots  distributed? 

A.       According  to  AnseU,  condoms  like  those  distributed  by  the  Arkansas 
Department  of  Health,  were  distributed  in  the  District  of  Columbia  and 
Guam,  and  in  twenty-seven  states  [Alabama,  Arizona,  Arkansas, 
California,  Colorado,  Florida,  Hawaii,  Illinois,  Indiana,  Iowa,  Kansas, 
Kentucky,  Maryland,  Massachusetts,  Michigan,  Minnesota,  Missouri, 
New  Jersey,  New  Mexico,  New  York,  North  Carolina,  Oregon, 
Pennsylvania,  Texas,  Vermont,  Virginia  and  Washington.]   A  number 
of  the  customers  in  those  locations  were  federal  entities  (e.g.,  military 
bases  and  hospitals)  and,  as  well,  a  number  of  college/  university  health 
clinics,  county  health  departments  and  state  health  departments. 

24.  Please  explain  your  reasoning  in  deciding  not  to  issue  a  notice  to  the  public 
warning  them  of  the  defective  condoms. 

A.       Senior  level  staff  at  the  Arkansas  Department  of  Health  were  involved 
in  the  decision  not  to  publicly  announce  the  recall  of  the  condoms. 
The  Deputy  Director  for  Administration,  the  Deputy  Director  for 
Services,  Department  General  Counsel,  the  Director  and  the  Medical 
Director  of  Maternal  and  Child  Health,  and  Division  Directors  of  the 
Divisions  of  Pharmacy  Services,  Reproductive  Health  Services,  and 
AIDS  and  STD  Services  all  participated  in  discussions  which  came  to 
that  conclusion.  Three  meetings  were  held,  two  in  July,  and  the  third, 
in  August,  1992,  following  notification  to  the  Department  of  Health  by 
FDA  of  the  results  of  its  testing  of  Ansell's  condoms.  At  all  three 
meetings,  public  notification  was  discussed.  At  each  of  the  first  two 
meetings  it  was  determined  not  to  do  public  notification  because,  to  my 


192 

knowledge,  the  FDA  had  not  completed  testing  on  the  condoms.  At 
the  third  meeting,  after  lengthy  deliberation,  a  unanimous  decision 
was  made  not  to  make  a  public  notification  because  of  the  overriding 
public  health  risks.  The  Department  senior  staff  recommended  that 
the  risks  associated  with  the  failure  generally  to  use  condoms  far 
outweighed  the  risks  associated  with  the  use  of  condoms  with  a  higher 
than  acceptable  potential  failure  rate.  I  agreed  with  my  senior  staff  on 
the  basis  of  their  unanimous  recommendation. 


VARIOUS  QUOTATIONS 


25.  During  your  confirmation  hearing.  Senator  Coats  read  a  quote  attributed  to  you 
in  the  LA.  Times.  The  quote  referred  to  a  belief  that  pregnancy  was  God's 
justification  for  fornication.  You  said,  essentially,  that  you  had  been  misquoted.  If 
possible,  please  supply  the  correct  quote  and  what  you  meant  to  say. 

A:       See  answer  8  under  Abortion,  Senator  Coats. 


26.  Did  you  ever  say  that  "most  of  our  society  believes  that  a  baby  is  God's  just 
punishment  for  fornication"? 

A:       See  answer  8  under  Abortion,  Senator  Coats. 


27.  Did  you  ever  say,  "We  would  like  for  the  right-to-life,  anti-choice  groups  to  really 
get  over  their  love  affair  with  the  fetus  and  start  supporting  the  children."? 

A:       See  answer  10  under  Abortion,  Senator  Coats. 


28.  Did  you  ever  comment  to  Arkansas  legislators  when  they  rejected  a  tax  increase 
on  cigarettes,  "You  sold  our  children  out  to  the  tobacco  industry." 

A:  During  the  1993  Session  of  the  Arkansas  General  Assembly,  I  attempted  to 
increase  taxes  on  cigarettes  and  smokeless  tobacco  products  to  fund  some 
children's  programs  as  well  as  increasing  funding  for  elderly  programs  and  a 
cancer  registry  in  the  state.  The  statement  was  made  following  a  committee 
hearing  in  which  I  was  unsuccessful  in  getting  committee  approval  for  the 
proposed  tax  increase.  The  entire  Arkansas  legislature  was  never  given  the 
opportunity  to  vote  on  the  proposal.  The  statement  was  directed  to  those 
members  of  the  committee  that  blocked  the  proposal. 


29.  Did  you  ever  characterize  abortion  foes  as  part  of  a  "celibate,  male-dominated 
church,  a  male-dominated  legislature  and  a  male-dominate  medical  profession."? 

A:        See  answer  11  under  Abortion,  Senator  Coats.  This  entire  statement  was 
made  during  that  speech. 


193 

30.  Have  you  ever  publicly  referred  to  your  opponents  as  "non-Christian"  or  "un- 
christian."? 

A:       See  answer  7  under  Abortion,  Senator  Coats. 

31.  Have  you  ever  publicly  referred  to  your  opponents  as  having  "slave-master 
mentalities"? 

A:       See  answer  to  Senator  Coats'  Question  9  under  "Abortion." 

32.  Please  feel  free  to  comment  upon,  justify,  or  place  in  context  any  of  the  above 
quotations. 


RESPONSES  OF  M.  JOYCELYN  ELDERS,  M.D. 

TO 

QUESTIONS  SUBMITTED  BY 

SENATOR  JAMES  M.  JEFFORDS 

Q  The  State  of  Vermont  has  the  fourth  highest  incidence  of  breast  cancer  in  the 
United  States.  Therefore,  we  in  Vermont  are  understandably  looking  for  any  steps 
that  can  be  taken  to  help  reduce  the  incidence  of  breast  cancer,  improve  educational 
efforts  and  access  to  health  care  in  this  regard    As  Surgeon  General,  what  type  of 
strategy  would  you  pursue  to  achieve  these  goals? 

A:       I  am  aware  mat  breast  cancer  is  a  particularly  serious  problem  in  Vermont.  I 
know  that  women's  health,  including  the  problem  of  breast  cancer 
prevention  and  control,  are  a  major  priority  for  Secretary  Shalala  and  within 
the  Public  Health  Service. 

This  spring,  the  Centers  for  Disease  Control  and  Prevention  (CDC)  in 
collaboration  with  the  Food  and  Drug  Administration  and  the  National 
Cancer  Institute  developed  the  National  Strategic  Plan  for  Earlv  Detection  and 
Control  of  Breast  and  Cervical  Cancers.  This  plan  addresses  such  areas  as 
public  education,  professional  education  and  practices,  and  quality  assurance. 
The  Public  Health  Service,  in  particular  CDC,  is  working  with  the  States  as 
well  as  professional  and  voluntary  organizations  to  assure  that  an  organized 
system  of  services  are  made  available  to  all  women. 


194 

RESPONSES  OF  M.  JOYCELYN  ELDERS,  M.D. 

TO 

QUESTIONS  SUBMITTED  BY 

SENATOR  EDWARD  M.  KENNEDY 


1.  You  referred  to  some  of  your  Arkansas  opponents  as  having  "a  love  affair  with 
the  fetus"  and  being  the  "very  religious  non-Christian"  right.   You  also 
characterized  abortion  foes  as  being  "a  celibate,  male-dominated  church,  a  male- 
dominated  legislature,  and  a  male-dominated  medical  profession"  and  as  being 
people  who  "love  little  children  as  long  as  they  are  in  someone  else's  uterus."   In 
making  these  statements  did  you  mean  to  denigrate  the  views  of  millions  of 
Americans  who  are  sincerely  anti-abortion? 

A:       I  am  sorry  for  any  offense  that  I  may  have  given  to  the  many 

Americans  who  sincerely  oppose  abortion  and  who  also  care  deeply 
about  the  well-being  of  mothers  and  children.  In  Arkansas,  I  have 
worked  closely  to  develop  constructive  programs  to  prevent  teen 
pregnancy  and  to  promote  maternal  and  child  health  with  many 
individuals  of  good  will  who  also  oppose  abortion  on  religious 
grounds.  While  I  do  not  share  their  religious  attitudes  on  this  issue,  I 
view  every  abortion  as  a  failure,  and  I  look  forward  to  working  closely 
with  abortion  opponents  and  pro-choice  advocates  on  a  common 
agenda  of  good  health  for  mothers  and  children  and  prevention  of 
unwanted  pregnancies. 

2.  In  your  decision  not  to  publicly  announce  the  recall  of  the  condoms  that  were 
thought  to  be  potentially  defective,  you  were  following  the  unanimous 
recommendation  of  the  staff  of  the  Arkansas  Department  of  Health,  were  you  not? 

A:       Yes.  The  bureau  directors  and  the  division  of  reproductive  health 
made  that  recommendation  to  me  and  I  carefully  evaluated  and 
accepted  it 

3.  And  at  that  time  you  didn't  actually  know  the  condoms  were  defective,  did  you? 
The  FDA  had  not  tested  them,  and  you  had  conducted  your  own  recall  based  on  five 
complaints  over  a  period  of  approximately  2  years.  Is  this  correct? 

A:       To  the  best  of  my  knowledge,  the  FDA  had  not  completed  testing  on 
the  condoms. 


195 

RESPONSES  OF  M.  JOYCELYN  ELDERS,  M.D. 

TO 

QUESTIONS  SUBMITTED  BY 

SENATOR  PAUL  WELLSTONE 

1.  Dr.  Elders,  I  applaud  your  decision  to  spend  part  of  your  training  at  the  University 
of  Minnesota.   Right  away  I  know  we  have  nOTeason  to  question  your  judgment. 
Can  you  discuss  with  us  your  motivation  for  focusing  on  pediatrics  in  your  medical 
training? 

A:        I  was  the  oldest  of  eight  children.  I  have  always  wanted  children  to  be  able  to 
grow  up  healthy,  educated,  motivated,  and  to  have  hope  for  the  future.  I  had 
excellent  mentors  in  pediatrics  during  my  training  as  a  medical  student  as 
well  as  during  my  internship  at  the  University  of  Minnesota.  I  have  always 
felt  that  as  a  physician,  the  things  that  you  would  do  for  children  would  last  a 
lifetime. 

2.  Dr.  Elders,  I  have  received  many  letters  of  support  for  you.  I'd  like  to  submit  an 
alphabetical  listing  of  those  groups  for  the  record.  Of  particular  interest  to  me  was  a 
letter  from  Erima  J.  Vaughan  in  Hempstead,  N.Y.,  which  I  shared  with  you.  She 
urges  me  to  vote  for  your  confirmation,  saying  that  she  is  the  single  mother  of  two 
boys,  and  like  you,  is  a  woman  of  color  what  had  to  learn  to  speak  plainly.  She's 
proud  of  the  fact  that,  as  she  says,  her  two  sons  "date,  but  no  girls  got  pregnant  We 
must  help  young  people  understand  the  dangers  of  AIDS  or  an  unwanted 
pregnancy,"  she  concludes. 

Can  you  discuss  your  interest,  as  Director  of  the  Arkansas  Department  of  Health,  in 
educating  young  people  about  the  importance  of  knowing  how  to  protect 
themselves  from  diseases  and  unwanted  pregnancy? 

A:       As  the  Director  of  the  Arkansas  Department  of  Health  I  found  that  Arkansas 
had  the  second  highest  rate  of  birth  to  teenagers  in  the  United  States.    The 
United  States  has  a  pregnancy  rate  which  is  twice  that  of  Canada,  and  ten 
times  higher  than  Japan.  As  I  evaluated  the  literature  and  talked  to  people 
who  had  been  working  in  this  field  for  many  years,  I  found  that  there  were 
several  themes  that  were  common  to  all  successful  education  and  pregnancy 
prevention  programs. 

First,  you  must  start  early  if  you  want  to  make  a  difference  with  children 
through  early  childhood  education.  Second,  you  must  educate  them  about 
health  by  having  comprehensive  health  education  from  kindergarten 
through  twelfth  grade.  Third,  you  must  educate  parents.  Fourth,  you  must 
involve  the  young  men  and  teach  them  to  be  responsible   Fifth,  services 
need  to  be  available  for  the  children  where  they  are  -  in  school.  And  last, 
they  need  to  have  hope  for  the  future.  I  feel  that  the  only  place  for  all 
children  to  have  an  equal  opportunity  for  access  to  health  and  education  is  at 
school.  I  therefore  began  to  work  with  the  education  community  to  try  and 
make  services  available  for  all  children  at  school,  the  place  where  they  spent 
most  of  their  day.  The  services  are  available,  they  are  easily  accessible,  they 
are  affordable,  and  they  should  be  age  appropriate. 


3.  Minnesota  as  you  know  is  home  of  the  nation's  oldest  school-based  clinics.  In 
fact  they  are  celebrating  their  20th  anniversary  this  fall,  and  we  hope  you  may  be 
able  to  join  us  in  Minnesota  to  mark  the  occasion.  Would  you  tell  us  what  role  you 
will  advocate  for  school-based  clinics  if  you  are  confirmed  as  Surgeon  General? 


196 

The  role  that  I  would  advocate  for  school-based  clinics  if  I  am  confirmed  as 
Surgeon  General  would  be  to  serve  a  very  important  role  in  providing 
primary,  preventive  health  services  on  site.   These  services  should  include 
primary  preventive  health  care,  education,  nutritional  educational  services, 
reproductive  health  services,  treatment  of  minor  injuries,  sports  physicals, 
and  any  other  services  that  would  be  desired  by  the  community  and  the 
school  based  on  the  needs  of  the  children.  I  strongly  support  involving  the 
community,  and  I  feel  that  school  boards  should  decide  if  they  want  a  school- 
based  health  service.  School  boards  should  decide  the  services  they  would 
like  to  have  available  in  their  clinics,  and  parents  should  make  a  decision 
whether  their  children  should  use  the  school-based  health  services.  To  be 
successful,  school-based  clinics  need  to  involve  the  entire  community. 
Churches,  businesses,  parents  and  all  other  available  resources  in  the 
community  must  help  children  be  able  to  lead  successful  productive  lives.   I 
do  not  feel  that  you  can  educate  children  if  they  are  not  healthy.  And  you 
can't  keep  them  healthy  if  they  are  not  educated.  We  have  copied  many  of 
the  wonderful  attributes  of  the  first  school  based  clinic  started  in  this  country 
in  Minnesota,  and  we  are  very  pleased  with  the  things  they've  done  to  make 
a  difference  in  children's  lives  over  the  past  20  years. 


4.  Dr.  Elders,  I  admire  your  hard-fought  accomplishments.  It  is  rare  that  we  have  a 
nominee  who  is  so  well-suited  to  face  the  challenges  of  the  job  ahead.  You  know 
about  poor  access  to  health  care,  about  rural  poverty  and  the  need  for  expanding 
primary  care  services.  I  envision  you,  with  eloquence  to  match  your  knowledge  and 
experience,  as  a  Surgeon  General  in  the  grand  tradition  of  C  Everett  Koop,  stirring 
the  nation's  conscience  to  do  what  we  need  to  do.  Can  you  describe  how  you  hope 
to  move  the  nation's  health  agenda  forward  during  your  tenure,  and  which  issues 
you  find  the  most  compelling? 

A:       This  question  has  been  addressed  in  question  No.  1  of  Senator  Kassebaum.  I 

hope  that  I  will  have  the  eloquence  and  the  high  profile  of  Dr.  C  Everett 
Koop  and  be  able  to  address  the  multiple  issues  which  will  be  on  our  nation's 
health  agenda  during  my  tenure.  I  feel  the  most  compelling  issue  before  us  at 
this  time  relates  to  the  issues  surrounding  AIDS  ,  having  unplanned, 
unwanted  children,  and  certainly  making  health  care  accessible  for  all 
Americans. 


197 

ATTACHMENT  A 

The  Rol*  of  the  Surgeon  General 


The  overall  mission  of  the  Public  Health  Service,  the  principal 
health  agency  of  the  Federal  government,  is  the  protection, 
improvement,  and  advancement  of  the  health  of  all  the  American 
people.  The  Surgeon  General  serves  as  the  principal  Federal 
health  advisor  to  the  Nation  on  public  health  matters.  As  a 
public  health  advocate,  the  Surgeon  General  has  a  pivotal  role  in 
shaping  and  articulating  the  public  health  priorities  that  serve 
to  protect  and  improve  the  health  status  of  Americans. 

DETERKHfAXTS  OF  HEALTH 

What   determines  our   health  status?   There   are   four  principal 
determinants  of  health: 

1.  Genetics  -  One's  genetic  makeup  contributes  to  a 
susceptibility  for  certain  morbidities  and  is  the 
principal  agent  for  others,  such  as  Tay-Sachs  disease 
and  sickle  cell  anemia. 

2.  Behavior  -  Behavior  and  health  are  strongly  linked. 

A  growing  body  of  evidence   links  a  handful  of  personal 

health  behaviors  to  the  leading  causes  of  death  in  the 

United  States:   heart  disease,  cancer,  cerebrovascular 

disease.   injuries,   and  chronic  obstructive  pulmonary 

disease.   Smoking  alone  contributes  to  one  out  of  every 

six  deaths  in  the  United  States.   Failure  to  use  safety 

belts    end    driving  "While    intoxicated   are   major 

contributors   to  motor  vehicle   fatalities.    Physical 

inactivity  and  poor  nutrition  contribute  to  coronary 

atherosclerosis,   cancer,   diabetes,   osteoporosis,  arxi 

other  common  diseases.      Certain  sexual   practices 


198 

increase  the  risk  of  unintended  pregnancy,  sexually 
transmitted  diseases,  and  acquired  immunodeficiency 
syndrome .  ( 1 ) 

3.  pea lth  care  -  Access  to  health  care  certainly 
affects  one's  health,  particularly  access  to  clinical 
preventive  services.   Preventive  measures  which  have 
made  a  tremendous  difference  in  our  overall  health 
status  include  prenatal  care,   mammography  and  clinical 
breast  examination,  the  Pap  test  for  early  detection  of 
uterine  cancer,  and  immunizations.  (2) 

4.  Environment  -  Our  health  is  greatly  affected  by  what  we 
drink,  eat.  breathe,  and  are  exposed  to  through  the 
environment.  Additionally,  our  health  is  affected  by 
our  social  environment  -  our  family,  socioeconomic 
status,  and  the  availability  of  social  support 
services  within  the  community. 

GOVERNMENTS  ROLE  IN  HEALTH 


Many  of  the  major  improvements  in  the  health  of  the  American 
people  have  been  accomplished  through  public  health  measures. 
Control  of  infectious  diseases,  safe  food  and  water,  and  maternal 
and  child  health  services  are  only  a  few  of  the  public  health 
achievements  that  have  prevented  countless  premature  deaths  and 
improved  the  quality  of  American  life. 

The  mission  of  public  health  is  defined  as  fulfilling  society's 
interest  in  assuring  conditions  in  which  people  can  be  healthy 
The  core  functions  of  public  health  agencies  at  all  levels  of 
government  are  assessment,  policy  development,  and  assurance.  (3) 

Assessment 

An  understanding  of  the  nature  and  extent  of  community  health 
needs  is  a  fundamental   prerequisite  to  sound  decision-making 


199 

about  health.  Public  health  assessment  involves  systematic 
collection,  assembly,  analysis,  and  dissemination  of  available 
information  on  the  health  of  the  coominity.  including  statistics 
on  health  status,  cccomunity  health  needs,  and  epidemiologic  and 
other  studies  of  health  problems.  (3) 

Policy  Development 

Policy  development  is  the  process  by  which  society  makes 
decisions  about  problems,  chooses  goals  and  the  proper  means  to 
reach  them,  handles  conflicting  views  about  what  should  be  done, 
and  allocates  resources.  Public  health  agencies  bear  the 
responsibility  of  ensuring  that  the  public  health  interest  is 
served.  Public  health  leaders  must  raise  crucial  questions  that 
no  one  else  raises;  initiate  communication  with  all  affected 
parties:  consider  long-range  issues  in  addition  to  crises;  speak 
on  behalf  of  persons  and  groups  who  have  difficulty  being  heard 
in  the  process;  and  build  bridges  between  the  various 
constituencies.  (3) 

Assurance 

Assurance  is  making  sure  that  necessary  public  health  services 
are  provided  to  reach  agreed  upon  goals,  either  by  encouraging 
private  sector  action,  by  requiring  it.  or  by  providing  services 
directly.  Assurance  involves  seeing  to  the  implementation  of 
legislative  mandates  as  well  as  maintaining  statutory 
responsibilities.  It  includes  developing  adequate  responses  to 
crises,  sustaining  basic  services.  regulating  services  and 
products,  and  maintaining  accountability  by  setting  objectives 
and  reporting  on  progress.  (3) 

PRESCRIPTIONS  FOR  IMPROVEMENT 

As  Surgeon  General.  I  have  six  prescriptions  for  continued 
protection  and  improvement  of  the  health  of  Americans. 


200 

Prescription  ♦! :  A  pound  of  prevention 

If  an  ounce  of  prevention  is  worth  a  pound  of  cure,  let's  aim  for 
a  pound  of  prevention!  It  is  time  that  every  American  knows 
that: 

1)  Our  leading  health  problems  are  preventable,  and 

2)  It  is  easier  and  cheaper  to  prevent  health  problems. 

Indeed,  it  as  estimated  that  one  out  of  three  premature  deaths 
and  two  out  of  three  hospitalizations  are  related  to  no  more  than 
six  risk  factors:  tobacco  use.  alcohol  and  other  drug  use. 
physical  inactivity,  inadequate  nutrition,  high  blood  pressure, 
unintentional  injury,  and  gaps  in  basic  health  care.  (4) 

Prescription  42:   Health  education  in  the  clinic,  classroom. 
and  community 

Prevention  of  health  problems  largely  depends  on  awareness   and 

knowledge  of  risk  reducing  and  health  promoting  behaviors. 

Primary  care   clinicians  should   giva  greater   emphasis  to 

counseling  on  personal  health  practices.  Schools  should  provide 

comprehensive,  sequential,  and  age  appropriate  health  education 

in  grades  kindergarten  through  twelfth  grades.   A  comprehensive 

health  education   curriculum  provides  teaching   on  personal 

health/growth  &  development:  nutrition:  safety,   first  aid.   and 

injury  prevention:   environmental   health:   tobacco  and  other 

substance  use  and  abuse:  consumer  and  community  health:  disease 

prevention  and  control:  mental  and  emotional  health:   and  family 

life  and  health.  Community-based  organizations  can  be  important 

resources  for  health  education,   particularly  for  working  adults 

and  elderly  citizens.  A  growing  number  of  workplaces  are  offering 

health  education  and  health  promotion  activities  for  their 

employees.   Chapters  of  the  American  Association  for  Retired 

Persons  and   agencies   serving  senior   citizens  have   been 


201 

instrumental  in  getting  the  elderly  involved  in  health  education 
initiatives. 

PRESCRIPTION  *3:   Universal  access  to  primary  health  care 

We  must  aim  at  assuring  for  every  American  the  clinical 
preventive  services  that  can  prevent  and  provide  early  detection 
and  treatment  of  health  problems.  We  need  to  expand 
nontraditional  approaches  to  health  care  delivery  that  increase 
access  for  the  hardest  to  reach  and  most  vulnerable  of  our 
citizens.  There  are  many  promising  strategies  underway  in 
America  for  reducing  the  gaps  in  primary  health  care.  One 
example  in  school-based  clinics.  Over  300  school-based  clinics. 
operating  in  33  states,  are  now  providing  accessible,  age- 
appropriate,  preventive  and  primary  health  care  to  children  and 
adolescents. (5) 

To  achieve  universal  access,  health  care  reform  will  need  to 
successfully  address  many  areas  of  concerns,  such  as  the 
inadequate  supply  and  maldistribution  of  primary  health  care 
providers  and  disproportionate  rises  in  health  care  costs. 

♦4.-   Advancement  of   knowledge  about   the  relationships  between 
environmental  exposures  and  health 

Tremendous  gains  in  health  status  have  been  accomplished 
during  this  century  through  public  health  efforts  to  assure 
safe  supplies  of   food  and  water,   management  of  sewage  and 
municipal  wastes,  and  elimination  or  control  of   illnesses  borne 
by.  insects  and  other  organisms.   It   is  essential  that  these 
efforts  be  sustained. 


The  greatest  challenge  for  environmental  health  today  is 
advancing  our  Knowledge  about  the  relationships  between 
environmental  exposures  and  health  problems.   Population 


BOSTON  PUBLIC  LIBRARY 


3  9999  05982  591  7 

202 

growth,  urbanization,  new  energy  sources,  advanced  technology, 
industrialized  and  modern  agricultural  methods  have  created 
dramatically  different  environmental  health  challenges.  (2) 

as.    Support   for   our  most   important  social  environment.   the 
family. 

It  the  job  of  families  to  provide  the  environment  in  which  their 

children  and  loved  ones  can  be  their  healthiest  and  it  the  job  of 

government  to  support  those  af forts.  There's  a  continuum  of 

family  concerns  which  need  governmental  support:  family  planning .- 

early  childhood  education:   parenting  education;  male  mentoring.- 

college  education.-  in-home  and  community  based  systems  of  care 

for  persons  with  long  term  health  needs  and  disabilities;   and 

hospice  care.  These  concerns  must  be  adequately  addressed  for  our 

children  to  be  able  to  grow  up  healthy,  motivated,  and  hopeful. 

PRBSCRIPTIOH  »6:   Continued  support  for  the  Public  Commissioned 
Corps 

The  Surgeon  General  is  responsible  for  tha  administration  and 
management  of  the  Commission  Corps,  a  uniformed  service  of  the 
Public  Health  Service,  consisting  of  health  professionals  in  11 
different  categories.  The  largest  contingent,  approximately  40 
percent  of  the  6. 500  officers,  are  assigned  to  the  Indian  Health 
Service  where  they  provide  health  care  to  native  Alaskans  and 
Americans,  often  in  very  remote  and  isolated  areas  of  the 
country.  In  addition,  approximately  1.000  officers  are  detailed 
to  other  Agencies  such  as  the  United  States  Coast  Guard.  Bureau 
of  Prisons.  Environmental  Protection  Agency.  Health  Care 
Financing  Administration,  and  the  District  of  Columbia  Mental 
Health  Commission  to  provide  health  expertise. 


203 

All  the  officers  play  a  critical  role  in  protecting  and.  improving 

the  public's  health.   As  a  nation  providing  world  leadership  in 

the  area  of  public  health  it  is  important  to  have  a  unique. 

respected  corps  of  health  professionals  who  have  the  credentials 

which  make  them  effective  in  relationships  with  the  public,  other 

governmental   agencies  and  representatives  of  foreign  nations. 

Continued  support  for  the  Commissioned  Corpe  is  vital   to  the 

Federal  government's  ability  to  respond  to  present  and  emerging 

public  health  needs. 

CONCLUSION 

To  protect  and  improve  the  health  of  every  American,  we  must 
learn  about  the  conditions  affecting  our  health  status, 
educate  ourselves  to  the  opportunities  for  improving  our 
health,  and  find  the  political  will  to  obtain  the  resources 
and  implement  the  strategies  that  will  maXe  a  difference  in 
all  of  our  lives. 

REFERENCES 

1.  United  States  Preventive  Services  Task  Force,  Guide — to 
Clinical  Preventive  Services:  An  Assessment  of  the  Effectiveness 
of  169  Interventions,  Report  of  the  U.S.  Preventive  Services  Task 
Force.  Williams  &  Wilkins.  1989. 

2.  United  States  Department  of  Health  and  Human  Services. 

Public  Health  Service.  Haalthv  People  2000= Hrtlffl+l  tfealth 

Promotion  and  Disease  Prevention  Objectives.  1990. 

3.  Institute  of  Medicine  Committee  for  the  Study  of  the  Future 
of  Public  Health,  The  Future  of  Public  Health.  National  Academy 
of  Sciences  Publication  I0K;  88-02.  1988. 

4.  Partnership  for  Prevention.  Today's  Solution  for  Tomorrow's 
Health. 426  C  Street.  N.E..  Washington.  B.C.   20002. 

5.  Waszak.  C.  and  Heidell.  S.  School -Beytd  and  School -I  inked 
Clinics:  Update  1991-  Center  for  Population  Operation. 
Washington.  D.C.,  1991. 


204 

ATTACHMENT  B 
RFNTTA I  PROPERTY 

HELD  BY 

M.  JOYCELYN  ELDERS,  M.D. 

as  of 7/21/93  ~ 


Property  Location 

Date  of  Purchase 

Current  Mortgage  Company 

405  S.  Pine,  Utile  Rock,  AR 

07/01/74 

Ms.  EN.  Shivers,  El  Dorado 

RL  4,  Box  365G  Elders  Ct,  Little  Rock 
("RL  4,  House  A"  on  Schedule  A) 

07/01/74 

none 

5417  Hders  Ct,  Little  Rock,  AR 
("Rt  4,  House  B"  on  Schedule  A) 

07/01/74 

none 

3717  W.  Capital,  Utile  Rock,  AR 

12/01/74 

none 

301 S.  Oak,  Uttle  Rock,  AR 

01/01/76 

1st  Commercial  Bank,  LR 

309  S.  Oak,  Uttle  Rock,  AR 

10/01/77 

1st  Commercial  Bank,  L.R 

5424  Hders  Ct,  Uttle  Rock,  AR 
CRt  4,  Trailer  E"  on  Schedule  A) 

10/01/77 

none 

9325  Roundtop  Dr.,  Uttle  Rock,  AR 
("Rt  4,  Trailer  A"  on  Schedule  A) 

07/01/74 

none 

5407  Elders  Ct,  Uttle  Rock,  AR 
(Tit  4,  Trailer  B"  on  Schedule  A) 

04/01/75 

none 

5412  Elders  Ct,  Uttle  Rock,  AR 
("Rt  4,  Trailer  C  on  Schedule  A) 

04/01/76 

none 

5420  Elders  Ct,  Uttle  Rock,  AR 
("Rt  4,  Trailer  F"  on  Schedule  A) 

01/01/74 

none 

4308  W.  11th,  Uttle  Rock,  AR 

05/01/82 

none 

4321  W.  11th,  Uttle  Rock,  AR 

08/01/82 

none 

4323  W.llth,  Uttle  Rock,  AR 

03/01/91 

none 

2621  Abigail,  Uttle  Rock,  AR 

07/01/82 

none 

2301  Cumberland,  Uttle  Rock,  AR 

06/01/82 

none 

3405  Lamar,  Uttle  Rock,  AR 

03/16/84 

1st  Commercial  Bank,  L.R 

3417  Lamar,  Uttle  Rock,  AR 

03/16/84 

Charter  Mortgage,  N.LR 

3806  W.  Capital  Uttle  Rock,  AR 

03/16/84 

Charter  Mortgage,  N.L.R 

306  &  Schiller,  Uttle  Rock,  AR 

03/01/84 

none 

8906  &  8920  Morris  Manor,  Uttle  Rock 

03/01/86 

1st  Commercial  Bank,  L-R 
Ms.  Katheryn  North,  Havana 

315  S.  Maple,  Uttle  Rock,  AR 

07/01/79 

none 

516  -  518  S.  Pine,  Uttle  Rock,  AR 

07/01/75 

Superior  Federal  Savings,  L.R 

The  Chairman.  The  committee  stands  in  recess. 
[Whereupon,  at  4:54  p.m.,  the  committee  was  adjourned.]